After the floods, on Canada Day: Reflections by a humble Altadore real estate agent for his fellow Calgarians
Sunday, June 30th, 2013
It’s Canada Day tomorrow, but there doesn’t seem much cause for celebration, as I sell Altadore real estate in Calgary that just got hit by the largest flood ever in Alberta’s history. Yet you know what? I’m gonna wave my country’s flag much higher than ever before, as I’m so darned proud I’m a Canadian and a Calgarian because I’ve seen how wonderful people here are and how we rise in the face of calamities!
Even before the water subsides in some areas, there’s bound to be another deluge—this time of debates on whether it was man or nature that caused this disaster. And I can’t even frown on those debates because we need answers or even just the best assumptions so that we’d know how best to act! But while we’re figuring out the answer, we’re seeing a lot of action already from people on the ground who are reaching out to those hardest hit. And that, I believe, is what relieves suffering most and also what should help rebuild communities.
For example, the Calgary police got some rave tweets when, in response to a tweet asking what people should “do about vagrants and questionable people roaming the streets in suburb communities because of the flood situation,” it tweeted back with this: “Suspicious people can be reported by calling 403-266-1234. Homeless people may appreciate a sandwich.”
Citizens were leaving plates of cookies and other food with “Thank you” notes on car hoods of policemen who were on their 79th hour of relief duty during the disaster.
Tweeters were also raving about the emergency response of other City of Calgary staff and by the decisive actions of our leaders.
Robert David Nelson reportedly got crushed under his ATV while he was driving to a neighbor’s home to check for flood damage.
A certain Joseph, who has been in Calgary for only two months, helped with the relief operations in Elbow Park for five hours.
Mothers are asking for donations of diapers and baby wipes for other mothers in need.
In Altadore, a mother and her daughter are opening their home to homeless pets in flood-stricken neighborhoods in Calgary and even offering to pick them up.
Groups are calling for volunteers for the post-disaster cleanup as well as for food and clothing donations, shelter for the displaced, and rebuilding of communities.
And random people are just sending their love and prayers to everyone in Calgary.
This Altadore real estate agent has always loved Calgary, but I love it so much more now, and I know that together, we will prevail and rebuild our communities until they are even better than before.
Author Bio
Bryon Howard is a top-producing real estate agent with Re-Max House of Real Estate in Calgary, Alberta. To learn more about Bryon, head on over to his website.
