May 3, 2016 is a day for which Cathy and I will not soon forget.  It was on this day when, along with 80,000 other residents of Fort McMurray, AB were forced to evaluate our homes.  A wicked and devastating wildfire, termed the BEAST,  had erupted into chaos unlike anything we had ever experienced.  When it was over, and we were all safe from danger, the realities of our situation, and what we had just experienced, hit us like a freight train.

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On this fateful day, the lifetime achievements and collected memories of days gone past were all taken from us.  With barely the shirts on our backs left, we now found ourselves homeless, with no idea of where to go next or what to do.  We are so grateful that we were able to share some time with such valuable and wonderful friends during this time of crisis - also from Fort McMurray.  Eventually, they were fortunate to be able to return home.  For us however, home no longer existed and a part of us had literally been ripped out from inside of us.  It was now we needed to decide what our future would hold and find the courage and determination to push forward toward brighter days ahead.

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Needless-to-say, this has not been an easy task, in any sense or regard.  Insurance monies were minimal and barely provided us with enough for daily sustenance.  There were many days of grief and turmoil as we struggled to maintain our composures through the anguish and loss we were still feeling.

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Despite this, we have survived this crisis and dramatic time in our lives.  We have done so with the loving and compassionate support of friends, family and even strangers.  We have found an inner peace and a new awareness of the condition of the human spirit and our love for each other has only been strengthened by this experience.

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We will never be quite the same as we were, however, we remain solid, confident and assured that we are most capable of weathering any storm that come.

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NEVER GIVE UP - the darkest days will soon become bright again and happiness still exists - when you're ready to find it once again in your life.

...never under estimate your ability

to overcome all obstacles ...