Like many other Canadians I spent the weekend watching the horror of a bus crash in rural Saskatchewan unfold.
A junior hockey team on a bus trip to a playoff game crashes. 15 of 29 people are dead and the rest injured to varying degrees. 10 of those killed were players for the Humboldt Broncos. The rest of those killed were coaches and support staff, including their driver and the radio colour commentator.
Of course, accidents happen all the time, but this one struck a nerve. It was was this picture that broke my heart and started tears that keep sneaking out.
To me, this picture is one of absolute joy, unlimited potential and camaraderie. They are invincible. The smiles, the youth, the dyed blonde hair. I look at this picture and I can feel life itself. These are people who got on that bus…
And in a moment all that was lost.
The next photo I saw broke my heart further.
The lives interrupted, knowing their future is forever changed. The bond between friends holding each other together. Whatever they thought they would be doing this weekend…it was not this.
The pain the families and friends of the Broncos must feel is unfathomable. The first responders and doctors who dealt with the crash deserve a million thanks and prayers.
The outpouring of love and support has been unending. I know nothing can change what has happened, but to do something, anything, to make things even a bit better is the desire of every CANADIAN. I expect most of us donate money and wear green in support and say a prayer that we never have to experience something like this ourselves.
Life is full of the unexpected.
The Winnipeg jets and Chicago blackhawks showed just how deeply we are all connected in wearing the Broncos name on their jerseys. In our hearts, we are all Broncos.
Stillness and peace
Anne
ainsobriety 
Awful, my heart goes out to the friends and families.
It has obsessed my thoughts. I hoped that by writing it down I might be able to stop 5inking about it so much.
That’s totally understandable, my Dad moved there when he was 19, spent a few years working in the uranium mines. He has huge love for the place and people Xx
It is a truly heartbreaking tragedy. Terrible, terrible, terrible. The response from the hockey community is really incredible.
I hadn’t heard about this mostly because I rarely turn on the TV or watch the news. This broke me heart, I cried when I saw this. I also have two teenage boys so it hits close to home. God speed to those who are close to these boys.
I have s hockey 🏒 playing teenage son
It really does hit home
I saw this, but you really made it meaningful for me. So many young lives.
Thank you, Anne.
xo
Wendy
I hope I didn’t distress anyone.
I just can’t stop thinking it’s so unfair…so heartbreaking.
All of my dad’s family is from Saskatoon, and I was born in Yorkton. Those boys look so much like my son at that age, and he played hockey as well. I am praying for the families. I cannot imagine what they are going through.
Thanks for posting this — I’m going to google to see if the have a way to contribute to the families.
I’ve been the same. I purposely avoided reading or seeing anything when I first heard because I didn’t want to know… now of course I know all of the details and can’t stop thinking about them either. My daughter plays hockey and I just keep picturing her team on the bus when we took it for a tournament, the smiles, the laughter, the joy… to think that that could end the way it did for these boys, it just breaks my heart into a million pieces. I’m praying for them, their families, friends, community, town, province and our country. I can’t even imagine 💔
I know. My son plays hockey. He’s almost 15.
It’s absolutely terrifying. I went on Instagram tonight and when I went to search for something every single post on the search page was a picture of one or more than one of the team. I feel for the truck driver as well. He must be going through a living hell 😢
There’s no going back for any of them.
Yes. The truck driver must be devastated.
Life seems very unfair some days, and on those days I try hard to find gratitude in the ordinary.
The first thing I thought about when I started reading this was “Oh no! Anne’s son plays hockey, this must be especially terrifying and awful!” Not that it would be LESS AWFUL if your son didn’t play, but I think it makes it hit a deeper nerve somehow. Life has felt unfair some days, as you’ve mentioned. There is beauty in the small things, like the enormous support the community has gathered for the boys and their families. Thinking about you and sending love.
This is so sad in every way. For the kids whose lives were cut short. For the survivors that will have to live with this the rest of their lives. For all of the parents and loved ones connected to these people. For the truck driver. For all of us. It’s also a reminder that none of us are really in control. That at any moment our lives can drastically change or be taken away from us. While I don’t have any children, I often think of how hard it is for a parent to trust that they will be safe that day. Healthy. I agree with you that it is important, every day, to find something to be grateful for-especially in hard times. Maybe more so when things are hard.
Sending love,
Xxxx
I have to say, as a parent it is a continuous lesson in letting go. I can’t protect my kids from the world. And, as much as I want to, I know it wouldn’t be good for anyone.
Thank you
Xxxx
Thank you for putting our collective feelings into words Anne. It’s just all so heartbreaking and will become even more so in the weeks to come as funerals are held and details emerge. The hockey bus for both boys teams and girls is such a big part of our culture, something almost all of us have had or will have a connection to in one way or another. 😔 Prayers for them all.
Thank you. I hope you are well!
I am well ( but sad ) Day 649 🌻 !
It’s hard to express the feelings of such a tragic event. I appreciate you sharing yours. Such a blow to so many. My prayers are with them all.
I watched with so much sadness for them all, and for their friends and families. I also felt so very blessed to have my boys, still alive, still healthy. We never know what turns this life might take, so being grateful for every damn minute I have is precious now. I can’t imagine their pain, and pray I will never have to. My heart is holding them all so very close…so many lives tragically lost.
😣😣😣 my thoughts are with use x