QUEEN MARY SET EXAMPLE WE CAN ALL FOLLOW IN TROUBLING TIMES
LOIS COOPER | MuskokaTODAY.com
These are troubling times in the world, but the trouble in Canada is of grave concern to me.
This wonderful country of ours seems to be in a winter of great discontent to a vocal segment of the country’s population.
I ask myself over and over, what I can do to make a difference? I don’t seem to have an answer to that question.
Today as I catalogue my Royal collection of more than 100 pieces, I came across a grand photo of Queen Mary — grandmother to our Queen Elizabeth II.
It turned out to be a brochure on the carpet that the Queen — formally known as Queen Mary of Teck — had worked on starting in 1941. At which time as widow to King George V (who died in 1936) she was sent to the countryside to live out the Second World War.
Queen Mary worked on the carpet for eight years and in 1950 she offered it for sale. Her terms were that it was to be sold abroad. All funds raised from the sale were to be given to the treasury to help defray the rebuilding costs from the war.
It toured Canada and brought in $100,000 in 1950.
It was presented to Canada by then Princess Elizabeth in 1951. It is now part of our collection at the National Gallery in Ottawa. Sadly it is not on display due to its sensitivity to light.
It seems Queen Mary found a way to make a difference to her country in a difficult time — even as a senior.
I am not suggesting that we take up carpet-making. I don’t believe we would have such success.
But what a great example of support.
Here we are in Canada in 2022, where whining is our mantra. We don’t want to pay taxes. We don’t want to wait our turn. We don’t want to follow the rules of the land or the rules of the province.
We don’t want to experience small inconveniences which will make things better for our fellow citizens.
We don’t care if our actions make life difficult for those around us.
What happened to us? The me generation? The one child families?
I don’t know.
Also found this week, a note on which I copied many years ago an adage that appeals to me still and I leave you with these thoughts:
“Count no day lost in which you waited your turn,
took only your share and sought advantage over no one.”
Let’s be kind to one and other. Let’s not repeat negative thoughts. Let’s not say hateful things. Let kindness overcome.
February 9, 2022 @ 8:42 am
Thank you Lois for your article, I did not know that Queen Mary spent her time working on a creating a timepiece that Canada now has in their possession.
But more importantly your message. As I understand it, truckers who travel to the States must be vaccinated, so I’m not getting why such negativity over something that the U.S. has mandated. The protests have the smell of being politically motivated.
February 9, 2022 @ 4:16 pm
Evocative article, Lois. We must all embrace more “confelicity respair.”