Royalty – A Day Off

Today is Victoria Day in Canada. It’s a wonderful holiday here in the great white north. Usually thought of, and set aside as the day (or weekend) you officially should put your garden in and clean up the dead, gross stuff in your yard from the harsh, cold winter. And for those of us without a yard, we get to do something else (hopefully less dirty)!

It’s unofficially considered the introduction to summer. Some years the weatherman needs to get on that same page, because it doesn’t always happen that way and it might feel a bit more like winter. Like this year. Just two days ago, we were getting snow. Yes, snow. Brrrrr. Didn’t exactly feel like summer. But today it’s t-shirt and shorts weather.

For some it’s the first good weekend to break out the camping gear and shake off the rust of juggling (or fighting) with your tent poles and getting the gear set up. I don’t get to do that very often anymore but I sure miss it. Camping (in my opinion) is best done in a tent, although I am sure I would occasionally appreciate the joys of a luxurious camper too.

Maybe in another post I will share my adventurous camping trip at a higher altitude with snow and bears. Just a wee bit outside the comfort zone of a Saskatchewan prairie girl.

So back to the main topic. What is Victoria Day and why do we get to have a day off? Great questions. Which I am sure you have already asked!

I know I have some British readers who have a similar but different perspective on this day or one similar in their country. A different connection through the commonwealth.

And I know I also have some readers in scandanavian countries with their own royal family members and celebrations. This is kind of hitting it from all sides but I find this so interesting. I appreciate any feedback or extra info you have for me.

And there are also some readers from the United States who watch the royal goings-on from afar with varying interest and commentary. It’s a wide range of people reading this and I appreciate you all.

So Victoria Day! It is celebrated as the official birthday of Canada’s sovereign. We have been celebrating this holiday in Canada since 1845! Wow, that’s a long time, well for us here anyway, since we are a pretty young country. First time was celebrated on May 24 which was Queen Victoria’s actual birthday long ago.

It was brought in by the legislature of the province of Canada. You read that right, the province of Canada. Tells you just how long ago that was, since we are now officially considered the country of Canada! Feels like we are all grown up now. The rules and iterations of the holiday have changed a bit since Queen Victoria’s death, but generally it’s the same, around the same time of May.

After the passing of Queen Victoria, the holiday was officially designated as the day to celebrate the birthday of the Queen in 1957. Even with the transition of different royals until Queen Elizabeth, this day in May was the official celebration.

Canada is the only country in the world to celebrate this holiday. I have a deep love for my country and am proud to celebrate positive things that make us unique.

Outside of the chance just to take a day off, I appreciate today as a chance to take some time to learn more about and reflect on history. History of the British royal family, the history of the great nation of Canada and the blessing it is to have time off and to reflect and recharge.

I really enjoy history and learning about things that have happened in the past. Maybe you agree with me about that or you don’t. But I truly believe when we know more about the past, we can see more clearly the path in to the future and have clarity about the present.

So friend, however you choose to spend today, even if it’s not a national holiday for you, whether it’s learning about the past, digging your fingers in to the soil or relaxing outside in the sun, I pray you find rest, relaxation and restoration on this wonderful day. I hope you learned something new.

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