I grew up in Saskatchewan. I grew up driving those roads where the sky went on forever.
The wheat fields were a staple in the horizon. And the sun was like a blanket on your face. The Hip playing in the background as the sight of the open road went on for miles. Those are memories that are forever ingrained. I can put myself back there in an instant. Amazing how an instant changes everything.
Those 29 people have become a part of my daily thoughts and prayers. I feel like they have become a part of my family. My heart aches for them, my tears fall for them and my hands pray for them. Most conversations start or end with Humboldt. It resonates with all of us. This could have been our sons, our daughters, our spouses. It could have been any one of us.
I didn’t know those individuals on that bus but I feel emptiness inside of me. I spend my days mourning 16 people I never knew but feel I know now. Every day brings new emotions, new tears, and new anguish. I feel a loss that the whole globe is feeling. The whole nation feels as though the Humboldt Broncos are their team. Every stick I see on a porch brings a tear to my eye. As I walked through town today it was such an unspoken bond between everyone with a jersey, and the only interaction was a simple nod of the head.
We all get caught up in life. We all think we have tomorrow. As a hockey family we even take the game itself for granted. The skates, sticks, helmets, early morning practices, late night drives, the hours spent on the road. But it’s not just the physical things we assume will always be there. It’s the hard work, dedication, responsibility and work ethic that come from the game we so deeply love that is deemed to be ingrained in our souls. All 29 of those wonderful individuals had those qualities; as I said I did not know them, but to be involved in Canada’s game those virtues just go hand in hand.
So I would like to say thank you to those 16 amazing people that lost their lives, thank you for reminding us all how precious life is, how precious time is and how those attributes of dedication and devotion are not a privilege but something to strive towards, and most importantly thank you for bonding a nation and a globe in a way that will never be forgotten.
To the City of Humboldt and all the families affected, know that my stick is out, my porch light is shining, my jersey is on and my love is always with you.
Alison Dubray is an Innisfail resident and hockey mom.
