Saturday night, the ice storm landed in Toronto and cut the power at my home in the east end, one of the hardest-hit areas of the city. Freezing, I awoke to pitch darkness. Then I went outside and witnessed pure, unbridled destruction all over the place: icy streets filled with fallen trees, damaged property and smashed vehicles.
On my way to the “office” early Sunday morning, the streets ghostly empty, I witnessed two trees fall in my vicinity. Power lines were down everywhere you looked. Street lights weren’t working. Fire engines and ambulances were the only sounds you heard. Oh, and the parking idiot was handing out tickets along the Danforth during my walk. Seriously, the city is in chaos and emergency vehicles are speeding around trying to save people and we’re still handing out parking tickets. It was no different with the floods this past summer. My friend Joel will appreciate that one more than most.
If you want to see some images from the ice storm, you can click here.
Anyway, I’m finally going home tomorrow! Two days in a hotel with others who all share stories about their upturned lives at this special time of year.
I went to bed early Saturday night and got the shock of a lifetime when I awoke. But I’m returning home shortly and grateful that I have at least this much. Sometimes you need a massive dose of utter madness to remind you of all the wonderful things you do have in your life. And what better time: December 24, the night before Christmas.
Happy holidays to all and merry Christmas.
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Richard H. Harris 
