I have lived in Slave Lake for 30 years - all of my adult life. This community is my home. What happened to my community on Sunday, May 15th was the biggest shock of my life.
I am not new to forest fires. Since coming to Northern Alberta in 1980 I have experienced the relative close proximity of forest fires and I have seen the devastation they cause in our beautiful surroundings.
Many years ago I drove down Highway 2 towards Edmonton a few weeks after a fire had gone through. It was the first time I had seen the aftermath and what I saw took me by surprise. I was expecting a "clean slate" with just charred remains of trees for miles. Instead I saw the blackened trunks of trees, the blackened grass and a stunning carpet of emerald green. In the full light of a late spring day this carpet of green was dazzling, especially in contrast to the blackness all around. The emerald green carpet was the new grass growing, overtaking the blackness of the earth creating a new landscape. I remember crying at the stunning beauty amidst the destruction.
For the many who have lost their homes, for residents who had to flee to places far and wide, for the firefighters who tried to avert disaster, for the emergency personnel who have sifted through the rubble, for officials who are trying to piece together a functional community, for all who have been affected by this fire there will be a wide range of emotions from initial shock to action, to pain, to anger, to incredible grief for what we have lost. For some this will happen quickly, for others it will take time to go through. Over time many of us will cycle through these emotions as we reach critical junctures in rebuilding.
And out of all of this, hope emerges taking root in our souls, pushing out of the blackness to create a carpet of emerald green that will lead to our renewal. It won't be easy. It will be trying for many and it will take a community to support each other as we move through the blackness and into the light.
We have a long road ahead of us and I am so lucky to know that I will be on that journey with the Slave Lake and area residents. I have lived in Slave Lake for 30 years for a reason. Yes I love our region for its natural beauty, but I stay because of the people. You are the beauty that can never be replaced.
See you all very soon and thank you to all the firefighters, emergency personnel, public officials, government workers and all who are tirelessly working to make our community safe so we can come home - we will never be able to thank you enough. Another big thank you to the huge outpouring of support from our region, the province, the country and the world. You have let us know that we are not alone and have allowed our hope to grow.
