My husband and I travel to New Brunswick to visit family every few months. We travel east along highway 20.
Each time we take the route between Quebec City and Riviere-du-Loup I am struck by how everything must have looked to my great-grandfather as his ship made its way into the Port of Quebec. Did he marvel at the beautiful coastline on both sides of the mighty St. Lawrence river? Did he appreciate the MILES of evergreen trees and the villages and old churches. (I keep meaning to take pictures along the way, but with a 16 hour drive I just want to get where I'm going!?)
Did he wonder if his descendants would see what he'd seen? Did he wonder if he was making a terrible mistake and maybe he should just get back on the ship and go home? Was he thinking about the subsequent generations of his family? Did he immigrate to make a better life for himself and his family?
If he ever wondered if his sacrifice of leaving his home country was worth it to make his children's children's lives better, he can wonder no more... Gido, I love this country and I'm forever glad you came.