Well, it’s been a quiet day today, so I decided to drop in on the Feenstras again . . . via YouTube, of course . . . and found them having a sort of pre-Christmas gift-opening, complete with a plate of Anneesa’s homemade cookies, in their work-in-progress new house.

Arend Feenstra, the dad, had had a busy day. He had been to the doctor for his four-week post-surgical checkup, and began the video by waxing poetic about health care in Russia: how caring everyone is, and particularly the excellent follow-up care, which included an ultrasound to be sure he was healing properly where his gall bladder had once resided. He also repeated a former claim that health care in Canada . . . well, frankly . . . sucks. (My word, not his, but definitely his meaning.)

He said he also had been having shoulder pain, which was first thought to be a fracture, and is now said to be referred pain from a pinched nerve in his neck. They’re treating that conservatively, hoping to avoid the necessity of further surgery that would put him out of commission for an unknown length of time.

He also had a meeting with more potential immigrants, which he says they do “from time to time,” happily offering advice and assistance as needed. In fact, he invited any viewers considering making the move to email him.

This most recent lunch meeting included a man who had been born in Russia, left for Canada 30 years ago, and is now back . . . as, Arend says, are more and more people who left in the ‘90s.

I’m sorry, but I just find that one hard to believe. Don’t those people follow the news??!!!

Anyway, he had stopped to pick up another large package from the post office, which contained yet more gifts from viewers who have obviously become very fond of this pioneering family. Though they never indicate where the packages originate, this one clearly arrived in a box with Russian printing on the sides (see top photo, in which I can make out “Armenia” and “Kazakhstan,” though the rest of the words are incomplete or covered by tape). And the contents themselves, as well as the wrappings, appear to have been made in or near Russia — definitely not Western-style at all.

As with everything the Feenstras do, this was a family affair. And I have to say, I thoroughly enjoyed observing the obvious closeness of the parents with the children, and the children with each other . . . right down to the baby, who is now walking and talking. Seeing her growing so quickly, it occurred to me that they’ve been in Russia for nearly a year.

This receipt of gifts appears to be a fairly regular occurrence for them, and they say they share the windfalls with others. There were warm socks, slippers, mittens, boots, and — rather oddly, I thought — a good deal of candy.

And I’m sure it is all appreciated, as Arend Feenstra has made reference in the past to the fact that they do not yet have a source of income and are continuing to live off of the money they brought with them from that evil place known as Canada.

So evil, the money they were able to accumulate there is still supporting them.

*. *. *

Sorry, but — while I do like the Feenstras as people — I still fault them for having made the worst possible decision for their children’s futures. And, as time passes, I’m seeing less and less enthusiasm in these videos, and a bit more of what appears to be a sort of weary acceptance. Could I be imagining it? Sure. Or perhaps I just tuned in on a bad day.

But one thing is not imaginary: the fact that life in Russia for ordinary working people is not easy; it never has been. Was it worth it, simply to escape the relatively small percentage of ultra-liberal people in today’s Canada? Only the Feenstras themselves can decide that, and it’s not likely to happen overnight.

Meanwhile, I still wish them the best of luck. Being foolish doesn’t make you unworthy.

Just sayin’ . . .

Brendochka
12/10/24