Hugs Across the Border

We have just returned from a two week trip to Alaska.  We ended our tour by arriving in Vancouver, Canada by boat.  The arrival brought back many memories of the last time we made this trip.  September 11, 2001.

Ten years ago we ended a wonderful cruise with six friends on the day the towers came down.  We arrived in Vancouver, scared, grieved, and unsure of what to do next.  Four of us were allowed to leave the ship since we had made previous reservations to stay in Vancouver and therefore had accommodations.  The other four stayed on the ship as guests of the cruise line until arrangements could be made for them.  We carried our luggage off the ship amid bomb sniffing dogs, police officers armed with assault rifles, and custom officials, feeling much like refugees. 

We arrived at our hotel to be greeted by warmth and expressions of sympathy and consolation by the staff.  Across the street was a beautiful, small church with a small churchyard around it.  On the board in front of the church was an announcement for a memorial service the next day for the victims of the terrorist attack on the United States.  We arose the next morning with the intention of attending the service and a hope of making some sense of the horrific events.  Heart sore and still scared we got ready for the service.  My husband opened the curtains to look out and called that I could probably quit rushing to get ready.  I joined him at the window to look down on the little church across the street. 

An hour before the service was to begin the Canadians had crowded the church, filled the church yard and were congregating in the street.  Traffic had slowed as more and more people arrived to remember, grieve and show their concern for the victims and their families across the border.  We watched as people hugged, cried and held hands as they offered up their support and concern for their neighboring country.  This outpouring of concern and support washed over us as we watched the crowd.  We realized that although we were in a foreign country with the borders closed we were not alone.  Others shared our outrage and grief and offered us the comfort of their joined concern. 

Throughout our stay until the borders were opened and we were able to fly home, the Canadians continuously offered us comfort and understanding.  From a shop lady offering a comforting squeeze to our shoulders to outright hugs from a waitress with family in Chicago, we were treated with warmth and love.  The people of Canada and particularly Vancouver left an impression on our hearts that will never be forgotten.  In a time a stress and fear they offered comfort without any thought of country borders or cultural differences.  Thank you for showing us that there is hope for a troubled world as long as we can hug and comfort one another in times of need.