A Time of Sorrow

 

 

I wanted to share some good news. 

And I waited until today, out of respect for all of the bad news, the tragedy in Moncton, New Brunswick during the past week.

The funeral services for the three Moncton RCMP officers, who were killed in the line of duty, are over.  But the grief and shock are not anywhere close to finished.  The eerie feeling, the palpable distress that hangs over the city will take time, perhaps a long time, to dissipate and to heal.

I've listened to friends speak of a loss of innocence, a loss of feeling safe and secure.  Perhaps "safe" and "secure" were always just a self-delusion, a necessary suspension of reality that allowed us to hope that our city is a good place, a sheltered haven.

After last week, I can now imagine what it is like to live where gunshots, murder, injury are all around me and where hiding in one's home is necessary to avoid harm.

There are many worldwide who face this reality every day, and for all of their lives.  My heart aches for them, as it does for those in Moncton who have lost colleagues, friends, husbands and fathers this week.

Our world may yet be a place of goodness and of hope, but for now it is a place of terrible loss and unbearable sorrow.

Because of that, I will wait another day to share good news.  It still feels out-of-sync.

My sympathies reach out to those who have been affected by this tragedy. 

I am so sorry for your loss and your pain.

This photo is not mine.  It posted on Facebook as RCMP officers marched to the Moncton Coliseum for the funeral services yesterday.

Surfing on the Petitcodiac River NB

 

 

Surfing on the Petitcodiac River NB

For the past week, surfers have been riding the Tidal Bore on the Petitcodiac River, NB.  On Tuesday and Wednesday, Colin Whitebread and JJ Wessels set a record for the longest distance surfed on a wave in North America for their 29-kilometre, two-hour ride.  Whitebread estimated they were surfing at about 10 to 14 knots when they travelled around the bend in the river in Moncton. 

 

 

 

These competitive athletes had studied the river and had support staff on Sea-Doos, in case of falls or accidents.  Moncton Fire Department Chief, Eric Arsenault said, “It’s a powerful river and certainly not … for the novice or recreational user.”  One of the professional surfers slightly injured himself this week, so the Department warned the public not to attempt surfing the river.  The currents were strong, particularly along some sections of the Petitcodiac River.  Whitebread said, “There were … sections that could have been life-threatening.  There’s so much power, behind this thing.”

Thousands of spectators watched, as the men travelled the Tidal Bore’s waves up the Petitcodiac River. 
 

(These photos were taken by my husband on his I-phone as he stood under the Gunningsville Bridge.  The direct quotes were taken from the Times-Transcript dated July 25 & 26, 2013.)

 

 



Layton Brought Dignity to Politics

This is a letter to the editor of Moncton's Times & Transcript, written by Eldon Hay of Sackville, NB.  Today is August 24, 2011.

Layton Brought Dignity to Politics

To the Editor:

Common to many, I have been touched by the untimely death of Jack Layton, though I did not know him, and have never met him.

I cherish the hope that the civility he helped bring to the House of Commons may continue.

I delight in the positive sentiments about MPs, politicians, councillors, Jack brought honour to these terms.  I also cherish the hope that these positive attributes could attach to other MPs, politicians, councillors.  In my experience we Canadians are singularly blessed by genuinely good men and women in our political life.  We may not agree with their policies or platforms, but we can attest to their honesty, diligence and hard work, irrespective of party.

Finally, minority communities lost one of their most committed, long-time allies.  Jack Layton cared deeply about social justice for all Canadians.  He recognised the fragile beauty of our Charter, and the power of hope for freedom that Canada offers to the oppressed around the world.  One of the best ways in which we can honour his years of service to the fight for equality is to carry his dedication forward.

Eldon Hay
Sackville

Well said!  Thank you Eldon, and thank you Jack.

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