It feels a bit impudent to call a flood, a state of emergency, in fact, interesting. It’s not lost on me that some people have been displaced, have lost a lot, and are still reeling from these last few days.
The city right now, though, is really prioritizing what is important and by default, what’s not. It’s filled with people helping. It’s all filled with people wondering, even things like will there be a Stampede, a celebration that really marks summer here, and what will that look like or how long could downtown be, without power.
There’s also this sense that much of what we take for granted, from resources to a healthy life itself, is more delicate than we think.
I’m very fortunate here. While blocks away people have been displaced, I am so far quite okay. I went from feeling very fine Thursday, to a bit unsure late Thursday night. I wasn’t even sure how much I should venture away for a walk even. But walks turned into time with friends, and chances to get out into the neighbourhood, with only an afternoon and evening of some traffic controls and bridge closures nearby.
I’m thinking of those less fortunate for sure. I’m also thinking of those shaken by even the vibe and feel of this particular summer solstice.
We’ll remember 13 for awhile I’m sure. Rainfalls will have people thinking differently. And yet there’s a takeaway much nicer… that community here is rock solid, that resources are abundant, and that people step up in pretty quick and major ways.
At times unexpected, and expected.