One Year On

It has been a year since the unimaginable tragedy of the Humboldt bus crash that took 16 lives and injured another 13 and affected millions around the world. The hurt and emotions cut to the inner core, fabric of the Canadian soul.  Practically everyone in Canada has been on a bus trip of some sort with a team, a band, a choir etc.

Everyone could relate. The other reason everyone could relate is the role hockey plays in Canadian society. Every boy growing up dreams of being a professional hockey player only a few are talented enough to make it. Bus rides across the Canadian landscape are where young men and women bond as teammates. A definite pecking order is maintained. The coaches and non playing staff occupy the front seats, the rookies the middle seats and the veterans at the back of the bus. Rookie initiation would take place on the longer bus trips. Thankfully, I was never involved with a team which had any form of hazing.  Just harmless fun initiation.

Within hours of the tragedy a Go Fund Me page was started by Humboldt mother Sylvie Kellington by April 18 15 million had been raised. The money was dispersed evenly among the 29 families directly impacted.

The team chaplain Sean Brandlow telling the world at the memorial none of us want to be here and then gave an impassioned emotional tribute.  The tragedy was far reaching with the Pope, Queen, leaders of nations all offering condolences. Professional sports teams all had moments of silence and other tributes.

I read three great articles written by Greg Bishop from Sports Illustrated which captured the essence of the tragedy. From April 13, 2018 his article “The Valley Of Darkness” was heart wrenching. Later he described the Logan Effect in two separate articles March 7 and April 5, 2019.

The Logan Effect spurned a rash of organ donations throughout Canada. Logan Boulet was kept on life support so his organs could be harvested and donated to save 6 lives. A great legacy.

In my home, my partner and I were unprepared for the outpouring of grief that defined the two days after the tragedy.  We were so full of sorrow that we thought we might be sucked down a very deep hole of depression.   The strength of the families and players were motivation to not let that happen.  It has been a reminder to cherish the abundance in your life because it can all change in an instant.

#HumboldtStrongForever