MUSINGS and other writing by Mark Kolke

. . . . . . there is no edge to openness

TODAY'S MUSINGS

FEEDBACK / COMMENTS

MARK SPEAKS

MARK'S SPEAKING TIPS

ARCHIVED COLUMNS

ARCHIVE WINTER 2020-21

ARCHIVE AUTUMN 2020

ARCHIVE SUMMER 2020

ARCHIVE SPRING 2020

ARCHIVE WINTER 2019-20

ARCHIVE AUTUMN 2019

ARCHIVE SUMMER 2019

ARCHIVE SPRING 2019

ARCHIVE WINTER 2018-19

ARCHIVE AUTUMN 2018

ARCHIVE SUMMER 2018

ARCHIVE SPRING 2018

ARCHIVE WINTER 2017-18

ARCHIVE AUTUMN 2017

ARCHIVE SUMMER 2017

ARCHIVE SPRING 2017

ARCHIVE WINTER 2016/17

ARCHIVE AUTUMN 2016

ARCHIVE SUMMER 2016

ARCHIVE SPRING 2016

ARCHIVE WINTER 2015/16

ARCHIVE AUTUMN 2015

ARCHIVE SUMMER 2015

ARCHIVE SPRING 2015

ARCHIVE WINTER 2014/15

ARCHIVE AUTUMN 2014

ARCHIVE SUMMER 2014

ARCHIVE SPRING 2014

ARCHIVE WINTER 2013/14

CONTACT

MY REAL ESTATE LIFE

WHY I WRITE MUSINGS

SHORT STORY PROJECT

POETRY PROJECT

SELECTED OTHER WORK

JUST GO

Wednesday June 1, 2016


“Returning to normal”.

“Going back, to how things were” – no evidence anyone anywhere ever experiences those.

Wildfires ravaged them.

90% still standing.

Can we help?

Not equating, but I see parallels between Fort McMurray and New York.

I visited, two months after 9/11. Energy there, that hustle, was palpable. Most memorable, a letter on my hotel bed. From Mayor Rudy Giuliani, saying “thanks for coming back”. It might have been a copy, but it felt like he’d signed a few thousand copies.

My parallel, isn’t that letter, but the value of that visit …

First group of 80,000 displaced Fort McMurray residents, can return starting today.

Massive clean-up, enormous re-build. Stores scrambling restocking groceries, prescriptions and fuel. And garbage bags, brooms and beer. Stuff. Insurance claims.

But, can we help restock their spirit?

Wait a few weeks – once everyone who can has returned, once emergency crews retreat – then book a room, buy a meal, see a site, meet someone – just go!

More than financial supports, benevolent hands of governments and NGO’s, what Fort McMurray needs now is visitors, old friends, new friends, investors, buyers and sellers of every kind, doing business, spending money. Shaking some hands. Exchanging some hugs. And some purchase orders!

What else can we do?

Donate, if you haven’t already. Subscribe to Fort McMurray Today [just did - year is $50]. We can lend a hand, extend a hand, show up, spend some time, spend some money, listen to some stories – tell everyone you know, “Fort Mac is open for business again”.

When fire destroys forests, new growth flourishes from the forest floor. Why should a city be any different? When the all-clear has been given, we should go back. If you’ve never been, go for the first time – it will be fantastic.

Not just for you.

For them …


written / published from Calgary, AB

morning walk:  7C/44F, like yesterday but overcast, similar prediction of warm sunny rain-free day; Gusta and I had a late quiet stroll … it’s been a ‘hectic week already’ and it’s just Wednesday … 


Join Musings Mailing List
Join the Musing following ...

Join Musings Mailing List
Join the Musing following ...

sign up to get Musings free daily


Comments are always welcome - please contribute to the discussion.  Reply to: kolke@markkolke.com

You can also connect with me on LinkedIn. This site is updated daily, each column is retained in the archive when the next day's column is loaded ...  


Copyright - all rights reserved - Mark Kolke, © 2003-2021