Published Aug 01, 2024 in The Sherwood Park News • 3 minute read
There’s a quote by poet Jamie Anderson that goes something like; “Grief is just love with nowhere to go”. That seems fitting when I think about the Town of Jasper, one of my favourite places to go. I can’t go there for a while, and when I get there, parts of it will be gone, and the landscape changed.
My heart goes out to all the people who lost homes and businesses in Jasper. There will be a lot of work to do as the damage is assessed, and it will be emotionally heavy work.
I know Jasper National Park holds a special place in so many hearts. Millions of people have memories of visiting Jasper to see wildlife up close. Sometimes elk or bighorn sheep blocking the road, but sometimes bears and even wolves too. Visitors travel from all over the world to witness the raw beauty of nature up close in Jasper. Its vast expanse of wilderness has captivated generations of Albertans and refuels our souls just from visiting it.
I have so many personal memories from Jasper, from every phase of my life. Its charm lies not only in its natural beauty but also in its enduring spirit of hospitality and connections we make with others while visiting there. That won’t change.
In junior high, I went on a school ski trip to Marmot Basin, and it was my first time skiing on a mountain. In high school, our regional basketball team held a week-long training camp in Jasper. Sleeping in the school, exploring the town, and preparing ourselves for the Alberta Summer Games in Brooks, where we eventually won the bronze medal.
When I was 19, I took my first solo road trip and it was to Jasper. I packed up the Buick with my mountain bike, checked into the Jasper Hostel, and met travellers there from the U.S. and Germany. I still smile when I think about the backcountry ride we took together to a waterfall and our encounter with the biggest black bear I have ever seen that crossed our path.
As a parent, my daughters have lasting memories of carving pumpkins at Jasper Park Lodge, paddling across Pyramid Lake and hiking in awe through Maligne Canyon. Friends and family have been married there and I know it has been the chosen site of more than one marriage proposal.
In every corner of Jasper, I always found a piece of its magic. It’s a place where history and nature intertwine, creating a unique and memorable experience. I am certain that won’t change. I am not sure what that will be like next time I visit. There is a lot of work to do to rebuild, so it’s no wonder we all feel so sad. Our love for this place seems to have nowhere to go.
Please reach out to me if you have any thoughts on this or other issues that are top of mind for you.
Events like this can take a toll on our mental wellness. Please reach out for support if you are struggling. Call 211 for social support. Call Kids’ Help Phone at 1-800-668-6868.
The Canadian Red Cross has launched the 2024 Alberta Wildfires Appeal.
Donations will be used to help people impacted in Jasper and other affected areas in Alberta with immediate and ongoing relief.
You can donate to the 2024 Alberta Wildfires Appeal at give.redcross.ca/page/24AWA
Kyle Kasawski is the MLA for Sherwood Park. If you have questions about this column or any provincial issues, he would like to hear from you. Find his contact information at meetkyle.ca