62. International Neighbors

            As a nation we are blessed to have two wonderful neighbors that we may not always treat the way they deserve to be treated. Both, like us, are New World countries and products of a blend of European and native cultures. Mexico, while heavily influenced by the Spanish, strongly retains its native culture and its influence upon the United States is rich. Even someone like me with those strong English ties right back to the Mayflower is indelibly influenced by this beautiful tropical and desert country to the south from my shrimp burrito Father’s Day meal to my Mexican step abuelita Consuela. It’s inescapable and I, for one, wish to embrace it, not repudiate it and prevent its citizens from coming north with a ridiculous wall. The Mexican people are the hardest working, most generous, family oriented people that I have ever met. I can’t listen to all the negative commentary about Mexico and still justify a taco and margarita. Instead, I want another margarita and a Mariachi band.

            And to our north, right out my back door, is the wild and frozen North of Canada. The closest macro-brewery I live by is Kokanee of the Columbia Brewing Company in Creston, British Columbia. And you know by now that beer is important to me… More trade goes across the most peaceful international border in the world. Our cultures are also indelibly intertwined to the point that our accents are nearly indistinguishable. Almost all of our holidays are the same, even if they aren’t always shared on the same days. We share taigas and tundra and mountains and rivers and plains and lakes. While the French influence may dominate the culture of Canada like the Spanish does the United States, all three countries still have the influence of English, Spanish, and French cultures intertwining and overflowing our borders. North America is a beautiful continent that Americans should take pride in being a part of and I want to start by embracing my neighbors. I don’t want to be so insular that I forget to love Mexico and Canada. And then there are the Caribbean Islands…