If we hold on to the “us” of Tuesday night, Squamish will be just fine.
Even as the flames were licking the tops of townhouses on Tuesday night at Emerald Place Estates in Brackendale, the Facebook page “Help Those Affected By The Emerald Place Fire” sprung up, started by locals anxious to help those affected by the blaze.
It wasn’t yet known who, or even how many, were in need, but it didn’t matter. Offers of a place to stay, clothes, pet supplies and cash spontaneously filled the page.
Having lived and reported in other communities, I know Squamish is unique in this.
Of course, there are good and helpful people everywhere, but this community is extreme in its compassion, in my experience.
As 2016 draws to a close, many Squamish residents express feeling a bit anxious about what the future holds for this fast-growing and changing town. Some reference a growing divide between the long-time residents and the new “city” folk.
Others grieve over the broken relationships caused by the opposing views on liquefied natural gas that have separated neighbours and even families.
We are also facing an economic divide between those who can afford to buy or rent here and the increasing number who can’t.
We continue to try and heal damage done through generations of oppression of our local First Nations.
These are real issues that need real solutions and hopefully the coming new year will bring some of those.
But the core of what makes Squamish special is that we care about each other.
This may sound trite and cliché, but it doesn’t have to be just a line in a column.
Many of you already do this, but let’s get more of us doing it.
Today at the grocery store, smile at five more people than normal. Help the elderly man trying to get the soup off the top shelf. On the way home, stop to help the teen struggling to get his car out of the snow. That new neighbour you aren’t sure you are going to like because of her barking dog, knock on her door to say, “Welcome.”
If you have the time, volunteer an hour at any of the many organizations that do great work in this town.
If we continue to be a uniquely caring place, we will continue to be the Squamish we all love, no matter what comes our way.
