Making Up
The longest undefended national border in the world is the one between the United States and Canada. Never in my lifetime has there been any major conflict along this border, but that has not always been true. Canadians and Americans fought against one another during the American Revolution and again during the War of 1812.
While Ray and I were in Canada, we toured Fort Chambly, built by the French in 1711 beside the Richelieu River near Montreal.
British forces conquered Quebec in 1759 during the French and Indian War (called the Seven Years War in Canada and in Europe). It was during this conflict that my ancestor Timothy Demonbreun migrated to America.
In 1775, British forces held Fort Chambly, when the American soldiers laid siege to the fort as part of their effort to take Quebec. American forces held the fort for six months; however, the Americans treated the Canadians in the area well. Americans burned the fort but British forces rebuilt it two years later.
The fort became important again during the War of 1812 when the British military housed thousands of soldiers in the area while they fought against the United States.
Today no soldiers stand guard in the corner guard houses.
No guns protrude from the slits in Fort Chambly’s walls.
We American tourists . . .
. . . were welcomed inside, where the tour guides told the fort’s story in French for the French-speaking people on our tour . . .
. . . and in English for those of us from south of the peaceful Canadian-American border.
Boaters and fishermen floated peacefully in the Richelieu River nearby.
In 1962 Dionne Warwick sang “Making up is so very hard to do . . . ” in her song, “Make It Easy on Yourself.” Dionne Warwick was right. Sometimes making up is so very hard to do, but the alternative is much harder. Hate and unforgiveness can last a lifetime or even for generations.
The wise mama learns to make up. She trains her children to do the same. Wise nations make up. America and Canada made up, and that’s why we share the world’s longest undefended border.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they shall be called sons of God.
Matthew 5:9
May mercy and peace and love be multiplied to you.
Jude 1:2