Newfoundlanders have got my fucking RESPECT

(photo of a map and history of Newfoundland, 

as given on the "Where Once They Stood" poster by Walter Andrews ©2003)

The lady at the post office today told us a story about her earlier experiences growing up in Newfoundland, and how she remembers winters where they had like 15-19 feet of snow, and they had to dig their way out from a second story window, because the snow was so high - and they had to be cautious not to step on telephone wires - that's god damn TELEPHONE WIRES 😲😱 - level with the snow, because it had dumped so much cold white stuff! The snow was THAT high, that they had to be careful not to get electrocuted!!!!!! Now THAT's a different level of ninja.

And she wasn't some old lady that told me this story, either - she's maybe 50, so like... that's fracking nuts! That's recent. The shit these people had to go through just to LIVE here. I mean, I'm standing on the shoulders of giants, smart phone in my pocket, typing on a laptop like some rich nerd at a cafe - I'm spoiled and privileged in my life to have seen easier winters, and less war. I can't IMAGINE how horrific it would have been through the ages, with all the wars and battles they've fought (which is a lot more than you might imagine).

This is the battlefront of Canada. These people have given their lives for their families. They grew up without granddads, a lot of them, and they have war in their blood. These people have been through Hell. Like, actual Hell, and I'm surprised they are still doing this out here.

Fuck. Surprised they're alive really. Their history, it's full of intense stuff, and I'm continually awed by the sacrifice and grit of these people.

And if this is the contrast of the battlefront of Canada - and considering I never knew how bad these people had it - having lived so far out West in Alberta (in relative safety), I can only imagine the vastness of war, the damage it has wreaked, and is still wreaking, on the lives of those I've never met, who still battle daily, in less peaceful countries than Canada.

#impressed
#humbled
#feelingthehearttug
#travelbug
#servicebug
#lovebug