Growing up, Fort McMurray, AB was the place in the world I disliked the most. It was where my dad would go to work for weeks or even months at a time. I struggled to understand why he kept going back and often found myself thinking, ‘what job is there that he can’t possibly work here at home?’ When my dad left out of town it forced him to miss countless games, races, recitals and ceremonies so, naturally, I blamed his absence on the place I associated with his work, Fort Mac.
Now, as an adult I understand that the opportunities my dad sought out up North allowed me to live with little or no worry about what my future might hold. I never had to be concerned about not having food on the table or a warm bed to sleep in at night. However, those concerns are currently a reality for the residents of Fort McMurray as a wildfire has forced more than 80,000 people in a panic-stricken, evacuation that is leaving hundreds of families without homes and belongings.
I can’t begin to imagine what this experience has been like for the people in the communities evacuated nor, am I going to try. This week, I faced a normal reality that doesn’t begin to compare to the extraordinary events of theirs. Unlike those involved, I was not forced to leave my home in fear for what could be the very last time and I didn’t have to travel through a blaze to arrive at a stranger’s doorstep. This week, I did not face the inevitable circumstances that came along with this disaster and for that, I’m grateful. Nonetheless, my heart is aching knowing what is occurring just hours from the place I call home.
Like, many people I don’t think I’ve ever come to terms with why bad things happen to good people and truthfully speaking, I don’t think I ever will. I don’t believe I will ever fully understand God’s plan and I think in some ways, that’s the beauty of being a Believer. I’m sure I’m not the only one wrestling with the outcome of this tragedy and in a lot ways, that’s encouraging.
At this point, there is a lot that feels out of our control. The fire, like God, is bigger than anything we can ever fully comprehend. However, in the wake of this event, Albertans have been actively engaging in community all over the province to ensure our Brothers & Sisters up North feel safe. The generosity I have witnessed in person, online and on the radio makes me proud to be an Albertan.
In other ways, I’m saddened by the amount of negativity I have seen in regards to the reasoning behind this disaster and the way it’s been handled. I feel silly even writing this, but the fire is not a political event, an act of ISIS or karma. It is not a cause of the oil sands controversy or the state of the Canadian economy and, for the last time, it was not caused by any one person’s shortcomings, politicians specifically. We’ve watched video clips, read articles, shared statuses, dropped off donations and texted ‘REDCROSS’ to 30333, we aren’t blind to the problem. The problem is not people. It’s the fire. The solution however, IS people.
As we stand together as a province, united let’s forget the negative rants, name-calling and public attacks because, let’s be honest our friends up North have experienced enough. Let’s continue to show our support for Fort Mac by ensuring they feel LOVED.
As of yesterday morning, more than 1,110 firefighters, 145 helicopters, 138 pieces of heavy equipment and 22 air tankers were fighting the fires. We’re in this together, Alberta. We support you Fort Mac because, heaven knows, you’ve supported us a time or two. #AlbertaStrong
If you would like to donate, please consider visiting the Red Cross.
“Grace doesn’t depend on suffering to exist, but where there is suffering you will find grace in many facets and colors.”