Interesting that we should have such a day that 'gives families the chance to spend time together'. Now, I know it's an excuse to have a long weekend in February, so none of us are complaining. The long wait to Easter is just that, too long. However not all provinces in Canada have Family Day as a holiday. The provinces of Alberta, Ontario, Saskatchewan and British Columbia all observe this day but not even on the same day. Family day also falls on National Heritage Day in most provinces.
Family Day was first recognized and dedicated to the values of family that were important to the pioneers who founded Alberta in 1990. The workers of this province were awarded this day to spend time with their families. In Ontario, it was a promise from Dalton McGuinty in the Ontario Provincial Election of 2007 to establish a holiday in February; the first being in 2008. Thank you Dalton.
In some of the other provinces the day is termed Louis Riel Day (Manitoba), Nova Scotia Heritage Day (Nova Scotia), and Islander Day (PEI). It is definitely not a Federal Holiday and therefore in some provinces, federal employees work. Family Day is also the name of a public holiday in South Africa, and the states of Arizona, Nevada, in Vanuatu (Vietnam) and in the Australian Capital.
I'm not sure how everyone feels about this day, but here is my point of view.
There is no excuse to NOT take the day off and do something other than work. In today's society, families come in all different shapes and sizes, and some obviously are not blood related. When I was growing up the typical family consisted of dad working and mom staying home with the kids. Sometimes, a grandparent would live with the family but in our family, my grandparents lived in another province. However, our family consisted of so much more than my parents, and my unruly :) brothers and sisters. (I was the quietest of them all) Our house was the one where all the kids hung out! My mother loved it this way. It was a good thing my dad was on the road a lot because for him - too many kids in one place would have drove him crazy. We alone drove him crazy!
For me, family is so much bigger than just my brothers and sisters, and now of course, my children, nieces, nephews and all the other 500 blood relatives I do have. (Yes, I have a very large family!) My family consists of people in my life that are my dear friends, and sometimes just acquaintances because this is my thought - we are not all privileged to have amazing families. Let's face it - there are many reasons why our family units are falling apart in today's society. Too many to list here...
I am one of the lucky ones - I have the most incredible family and I would not trade them for the world. When I describe my childhood I always say that my best friends were my brothers and sisters and this still holds true today. There are too many people who can't say that about their families but I know I would not be where I am in my life without my brothers and sisters, and the undying love from my parents. It's like time stands still when we get together - like, we have never grown up. The laughter, the ribbing, the pranks, the tears and genuine love for one another makes me cry, even as I write this. I have been so blessed with my family. Don't get me wrong - my mom raised 6 children; all with Type A personalities - you can imagine the debates and opinions are flying all the time but at the end of it all - we still love each with all of our faults (I have very few ;).
This year though, I wil be spending my Family Day with another one of my families - my SBCN family - a girls brunch with Linda and I am looking just as forward to this brunch as I would spending another day with my own family. We aren't working - we are girls sharing together. For those that don't have families - friends, co-workers and acquaintances are a make shift family we are all too happy to be a part of. It doesn't matter that we are blood related or not - we are related with the purpose of enjoying each other's company.
I really don't believe in Family Day because I don't need a holiday to remind me to spend time with my family. My family makes a point of getting together on a regular basis for whatever excuse suits our fancy and/or we talk daily. Don't wait for a holiday to spend time with your family. Take advantage of it often, and for no good reason other than you love them and they make your day.
Lucie Fournier
Founder/Workplace Health Strategist
www.fournierhealth.com
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