We’ve all been there.
Whether it was you or someone you know, we’ve all had to get on a bus and go somewhere.
Maybe it was for sports – maybe not – but it’s one of those universal experiences.
Which is why the bus accident that killed 16 members of the Humboldt Broncos junior hockey team hits so close to home.
Obviously – in a country like Canada where just about everyone and their brother plays hockey – it would strike a nerve.
But just 10 years ago in New Brunswick, seven basketball players and their coach’s wife were killed when the van they were in collided with a transport truck.
These kinds of things can happen anywhere, at any time. Which is why this tragedy has resonated with so many people.
But the response has been overwhelming. Canadians donated in record numbers to the team’s GoFundMe page, which now sits at $12 million.
Not only that, but people have been leaving hockey sticks on their front porches just in case one of the lads needs a twig for one last game.
The sight of sticks lining front porches, businesses and even the U.S. Embassy is enough to bring a tear to the eye of the most hardened cynic.
Even here in Pontiac, local business people and school children were wearing their jerseys and putting out sticks in a show of support.
It’s not just hockey players either. The team’s play-by-play broadcaster Tyler Bieber was also killed in the accident. Several professional broadcasters left a headset out on their porch in case Tyler wanted to call the boys’ game.
One-by-one these play-by-play broadcasters have also volunteered to fly to Humboldt and call a Broncos game in Bieber’s honour.
Touching stuff.
Especially so in a time where there is so much division. The media, our peer groups and social media all have a nice little box each of us fits into.
Too often we are arranged into teams – us and them – to face off against one another.
Whether it’s religion, political beliefs or our geographic region, far too often we’re easily able to find ways to divide ourselves.
It’s unfortunate that it takes something so tragic for us to step back and realize that we’re all on the same side. We’re all human. Life is fragile.
So let’s keep that in mind as the days, weeks and months pass.
As the Humboldt tragedy disappears in our rearview mirror, let’s not lose sight of the lessons we’re learning from this loss of life.
Regardless of our skin colours, religions, political affiliations or whether we’re city folks or country folks, we’re all human and want the best for our families.
One of the main reasons we admire the folks from Humboldt is their ability to come together in trying times.
That lesson can make us all #HumboldtStrong.
Chris Lowrey
