The past week has been a whirlwind of emotions & uncertainty, but also of gratitude & immense pride for my community.I was evacuated with my family shortly after midnight on Friday, August 7 from our home in Summerland due to the Bald Range Wildfire.
Here are a few things I have learned from my experience as an evacuee:
Heroes are everywhere. Sure it’s a cliché, but it’s a concept that has come to life in real time for me over the past week. From the firefighters & first responders who are working around the clock to protect our properties, to the incredible volunteers from Emergency Support Services and so many other local organizations who made sure we have not only essentials, but makeshift comforts of home that we are currently unable to access, to the people who have answered the call for urgently needed donations in every form. They are true angels on Earth.
Priorities become abundantly clear. What does one bring with them when being evacuated from their home with very little notice?
In my case:
2 senior cats? Check
My late dog Bear’s ashes? Check
My car? Nope
Socks, undergarments, clothes other than sweats? Definitely nope
Still, we consider ourselves blessed – There are many residents who have escaped the flames with nothing but the clothes on their back. The road to recovery will be long for them.
Community is everything. They say it takes a village. Another cliché, but when you are faced with the unimaginable and your mind struggles to process your current situation – the truly wonderful humans are revealed & it is them who carry you through your darkest days. Our Penticton & Naramata neighbours have rallied around all 12,000 Summerland residents on a moment’s notice without missing a beat. They have opened their homes, their businesses, their hearts – A comfy place to sleep, a warm hearty meal, entertainment & distractions for our children, supplies for our fur babies, a big hug or just an ear to listen –that giving spirit has provided both physical comfort & peace of mind to evacuees at a time when many of us are struggling to put one foot in front of the next. This is small-town love in its purest form. We will rise again, stronger than ever.
Through it all, one thing is clear: I have never been so proud to call the Okanagan Valley home than I have been this past week. As someone who’s worked in the wine industry for over 15 years – I can confidently say that we’re a resilient bunch. When the going gets tough, we support each other.
With love & gratitude, Lauren
