THE PRIDE OF THE TULIP
When I stroll from my car or bicycle to the community pool, at this time of year, I can’t help but notice the flowerbeds around City Hall, the ACT theatre and Art Gallery, and our Leisure Centre. Our crackerjack gardeners use them to plant tulip bulbs in late Fall and now is the time for them to spring up. Springing up is what I see, and it brings out my personal pride in being Dutch.
As I stand there quietly looking at the shades of green, I wonder if anyone knows the story about tulips in Canada?
The story springs back to World War II. Canada provided refuge to the Dutch Royal family during those difficult times, and Canada is also credited for freeing the Netherlands from Nazi domination. As such, gratitude is expressed in quiet ways, the most notable of which is the yearly gifting of thousands of tulip bulbs. I am not sure if all tulip bulbs in all of Canada are gifted ones, but the symbolism of Canada’s connection to the Netherlands holds true in that unique, colourful, iconic bloom.
The Dutch are quiet people. We tend to not express our culture as demonstratively as other cultures; but, we are here, we are proud and we love to see our pride and joy —tulips, spring up for all to enjoy.
Thank you to the gardening crew of Maple Ridge! 🌷
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