Today I am at a loss for words.
Like everyone else in our community, I too find myself struggling to come to terms with the results of the tragic events that claimed 16 lives on a Saskatchewan highway April 6.
I will admit that while I am not a particularly religous person, this week I have found myself praying often that the Humboldt Broncos players and staff who are in hospital survive.
It is a bonafide miracle that anyone did.
I’m sure you have seen the photos and read the stories, so I don’t say that with any intention of appearing heartless or insensitive.
Quite the opposite is true.
I did not know Parker nor any member of the Tobin family, nor any of the other players on the Humboldt Broncos team, their coaches or staff.
Regardless, to the Tobin family, I am sorry for your loss.
No parent should ever out live their child.
What happened that night was a preventable tragedy and a horrible accident.
In light of this sad event however, I am proud of the hockey community and indeed, of Canadians across our great country.
It brought tears to my eyes to see the photos of hockey sticks being left outside at night, from Newfoundland to Vancouver, from Boston, Phoenix, California and even as far away as the Netherlands.
I would like to point out that it is disappointing to me that such solidarity is only shown in moments like this, but I’m proud nonetheless to count myself among those who wore a jersey on April 12.
Again, my statement is not meant to offend.
My heart grieves with the rest of you.
Sure, the jersey I wore was a football jersey and an NFL team at that, but that doesn’t matter.
I don’t care if all you had was a sweater with a team logo on it.
What matters is that Humboldt’s community and the families of those who lost a son or, in the case of Broncos athletic trainer Dayna Brons’ family, a daughter, recognizes that they are not alone.
I cannot imagine what it must be like to be in their shoes, nor in the shoes of the driver of that semi-truck.
Like I said, words fail me.
#HumboldtStrong
