Calgarians, love means never having to say you are sorry.  We were heartened by the stories of goodwill and the outpouring of support from our own citizens and from strangers in Texas, California, Missouri and many parts of Canada. Volunteers from Saskatchewan pumped out basements. Military personnel joined from across the province. Citizens were captured on camera, placing Tim Horton’s gift cards as thank you’s on the windshields of Calgary police cruisers. On the Monday following the flooding, the City called willing volunteers to meet at McMahon stadium for 10 am. They expected 600. The crowd was close to 2500.

The Siksika band west of Calgary was hard hit with rushing waters and many were homeless. An appeal was sent out on Sunday. By noon the next day, trucks carrying bottled water, diapers, baby food and other supplies lined up at the drop off location.

Animal hospitals took in stranded animals and posted photos reuniting owners and pets. At an evacuated and damaged senior’s facility, a volunteer gathered family photos of reunions and weddings and laid them out to dry in hopes that the residents will have their mementos returned to them.  

My husband, son and I donned work clothes and joined others at one of the Children’s Cottage Society locations. We pulled down sodden drywall, swept floors, yanked nails and dug soggy insulation. We were surrounded by others, pouring in the doors, shovels and crowbars in hand, asking how they could help. Licensed electricians systematically removed all outlets and switches.  Executive Director, Patti Kilgallon and members of her team handed out safety glasses and provided lunch. The safety training I acquired while at TransCanada was of great value as I monitored the safety of myself and others.

Repeatedly as I weaved through the soggy basement carrying loads of drywall and sodden materials to be dumped outside, men and women alike said “sorry” as they stopped their efforts scraping the floor or tearing down drywall to make passage for me. It struck me that as Canadians we have earned our reputation as being polite. Calgarians, you were demonstrating your love. There was nothing to apologize for.

The downtown towers are full again. 2500 volunteers worked around the clock to salvage the Stampede grounds.  Officials cited neither hell nor high water would stop the production of the “greatest outdoor show on earth” and the parade reined today.  Repairs to homes, parts of the LRT and the Saddledome will take weeks and months. We will prevail. Albertans are hearty, resilient and tenacious. Look no further than the cyclical patterns of the oil and gas economy.  As at the recent bombings in Boston, this disaster exposes our some of greatest traits…compassion, leadership, and resilience. Politicians, city officials, first responders and residents of the city have pulled together, helping one another. Neighbours and strangers worked side by side. When we moved to Calgary six years ago I joined boards and assisted charities as I have in other communities.  I was struck immediately by the generosity of Albertans. That impression has been reinforced in recent weeks. I am proud to be a resident of this fair city.

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