I am part of a cross-border family. I am here in Michigan, and much of my family is in Canada. Families are essential, but the rules surrounding the pandemic say otherwise.
The Canadian/US border has been closed to non-essential travel since March 2020. Canadians living in the US cannot see their Canadian families. Because for cross-border families, “family” is considered non-essential.
This past year has been hard for all of us. But Many cross-border families are bearing not only the weight of the pandemic but the depressing fact of not being able to be in the same country as our loved ones.
It’s been heartbreaking to see others on social media visiting their grandparents, family, friends here in the US – even if it’s from a distance. Yet, many of us cross-border Canadians in the states have only seen our loved ones via FaceTime for the last year.
My parents aren’t getting any younger and not being able to see some of their grandbabies is definitely taking a toll on their mental health, and mine.
I know of some cross-border families that have had a relative pass away or are at end-of-life stages. On top of not being able to be with them as they pass away, they are unable to cross the border to attend give their final goodbyes or attend the funeral.
Some cross-border families have had babies that their Canadian families have not seen in person, let alone touch or hold. Be thankful that, here in the US, your family can at least see your new bundle of joy from afar and eventually hold them with a mask, after sanitizing or after receiving the vaccine.
Cross-border relationships are strained across the board because they are deemed non-essential.
Some cross-border couples haven’t been able to hug or kiss their lover in over a year which, to me, is heartbreaking.
I’ve lost count of the number of birthdays and holidays we’ve missed as a family.
While others can celebrate in backyards or from afar, cross-border families have to resort to sending mail, packages, and Facetime.
Sending packages to and from Canada and the US is astronomically high for the price of postage just to get belated birthday presents to each other. Be thankful you’re able to drive to your loved ones’ house and leave something at the door.
It’s the simplest things that I’m now seeing I’ve taken for granted.
I’ve tried to stay positive during this past year and have tried not to worry about “what if something happens to my family member back in Canada?” or “what’s missing one more birthday or Christmas?” or “what if something happens to me and my family can’t be here?”
But this pandemic has turned a lot of people’s lives upside down and has darkened many thoughts.
I’m hoping when this whole pandemic is behind us, that we will have a whole new outlook on life and what matters. That we will be able to celebrate all birthdays and holidays that have passed and catch up on all the hugs and kisses we have missed.
No matter what the cross-border rules say during this pandemic, my cross-border family is essential to me.
Such a well written presentation on how so many of us feel. Thank you for sharing this with us! You echo the thoughts and sentiments of so many of us separated from our families and loved ones. And you are so right, our cross border families are VERY essential to us.
Thank you Wendy! I’m glad this is resonating with a lot of people 🙂