“I remember” is the official motto of Québec.  In 1895 Thomas Chapais, historian, politician and member of the Québécois legislative council said this:

“The province of Québec has a motto of which she is proud and which she likes enough to carve it on her monuments and palaces.  This motto has only three words: “Je me souviens”; but these three words, in their simple economy of expression, are worth more than the most eloquent speeches.  Yes, we remember.  We remember the past and its lessons, the past and its misfortunes, the past and its glories.”

I will remember, as well.  I will remember Québec’s beautiful blue flags with the white cross and the fleur-de-lis proudly flying.  I will remember her living history of First Nations, France and Britain.  I will remember she is the only Canadian province to have French as its sole official language.  I will remember the cobblestone streets, the majestic St. Lawrence River, cheery flowers bursting from every front, and the sense of stepping back in time.  At the end of every trip I always take a picture of my souvenirs.  Second to Alaska, I found the most wolves here.  I got a darling Christmas ornament that has Santa petting a wolf which reads “Québec” and I could not resist the plush Royal Canadian Mounted Police husky or the Canadian Grenadier Guard beaver.  Whenever I look at them now in my office or on the tree at Christmas I remember:  “Je me souviens.”