Long before the Canadian government adopted their “policy”, multi-culturalism was woven into the very fabric of my family’s life. In spite of my dad fighting in the Royal Air Force during World War II, or perhaps because of it, my parents embraced friends from across Europe, India and Asia irregardless of differences in culture or station. As civilian air travel improved and became more accessible, I’m told it was a great time to meet and experience people from around the world. A parade of nations passed through Edinburgh where my parents lived during those early years of their marriage.

Their attitudes didn’t change when they emmigrated from Scotland and settled in small town Ontario. That’s when I arrived on the scene. One of my best little buddies was our tenant, a Korean boy. It never really occurred to me that he and has family were different, save for the fact that his mom had the most splendid, silky and colourful outfits she wore on special days.

Fast forward a few decades and I look around at my own friends. They are a wildly diverse group I have had the privilege of knowing after decades of travel and living in international cities. They are as diverse in culture as they are in character. There is nothing common about any of them except the exemplary qualities they share.

I am forever indebted to my parents for always making it their policy to embrace people for who they are and never needing to label it as anything more.

-Moyra in Vancouver