Chris warned me that writing the memories would be exhausting. Collecting, curating, and sharing fifty memories, he said, would be tiring. Mentally, physically, and emotionally. While I didn’t exactly doubt him, I didn’t quite realize just how correct he would be. Sharing such a large piece of myself with the world, while something I wanted to do, and am very at peace with, my person needed a bit of space. When I was about ready to start writing again…

An incredibly devastating fire broke out in Jasper National Park. The park was completely evacuated on July 21. Twenty-five thousand people were evacuated from the park, driven west into British Columbia, the eastern passage back into Alberta was unsafe. As it stands now, July 31, the park remains closed, all Jasper town residents, still evacuated. The fire hit the town a couple days later, wiping out approximately thirty percent of the town’s buildings, both homes and businesses.

Jasper is my favourite place on earth, as it is for many Albertans. It has thrown the entire province into a state of upset. Personally, I had to shut off the news and social media as it was devastating for me emotionally. The place I always felt most at home, most safe, most renewed, was being eaten alive, piece by piece. I had been there, enjoying it, literally, days before. Her landscape, now and forevermore, changed.

JNP is a place for everyone. Crews from all over Canada are here now helping. When the fire hit the town, they even had to evacuate fire crews. The blaze was too dangerous for them, only those with breathing apparatuses could remain. Fortunately, we got some rain, which helped. However, with more hot temps coming, and wind, the fire is expected to grow again in coming days.

It is hard to find my writing mojo right now. But I hear that the best ‘cure’ for that is to just start writing. I did find it odd to go from writing every single day for fifty some days to nothing. Sifting through the jumble of thoughts and emotions is difficult but important. It’s when we don’t talk that those hard emotions take hold, and the lies can replace the reality.

I am struggling, but I’m home in my bed, many are not. There are many ways to help those displaced by the fire, but the best was is through the Canadian Red Cross Alberta Wildfire Relief. All donations are currently being matched three-fold, so please donate, if you are able.

The pictures shared are from a trip we took in 2018.