I’ll Trade Ya ...A Life For a Few Trees

“To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and to endure the betrayal of false friends. To appreciate beauty; to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; to know that even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded.”      

 -Ralph Waldo Emerson

I can’t discuss my opinions on the political hot points of the day...publically.  But this is where my blog comes in.  I can say whatever I want here.  It harms no one.  It erases the mind chatter so I can ignore the public's constant criticism and remember that I too, like most have an opinion.  

What’s your point…you say?

One of the most talked about issues these days that seems to attract all manner of lobbyists, activists, and political critics is the new highway that the present government is planning for Bonshaw.  Dubbed  ‘Plan B’, it has taken on a life of its own.  Previous to this was ‘Plan A’ that was scrapped after much vocal resistance from the area residents.  They asked for the government to reconsider where it was putting the highway.  The government did, hence the Plan B.  The locals are still not happy.  

One evening my best half and I reflected on the day; a busy day in the Legislature when tempers were hot and the opposition was slinging their wrath across the floor like rapid gunfire.  I watched this particular day and as the camera panned the room I caught a glimpse of my best half.  He appeared calm and unaffected by the drama unfolding in the house.  I couldn’t help but admire his composure, whilst others’ faces were turning scarlet red, body language was screaming and even while another member of the cabinet choked back tears. Penny for your thoughts?

I guess the point I am making here is that politics is not for the faint of heart.  Coming into this we understood that it would not be easy.  There is always the ‘other side’ that will take their pot shots at you whether you are wrong or right.  I hasten to say the quote ‘earn the appreciation of honest critics’ still remains to be seen (honest being the operative word). So at the end of each day when we debrief, it is during these discussions we realize that often it might be akin to trying to keep the tide out with a pitchfork. 

  

He forges on though, the people expect it and they deserve to have him there.

 “...to know that even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded.”

Back to the ‘Plan B’.  It appears that it is now down to a handful of trees that are in real jeopardy of being torn down for this highway alignment.  I know this because it has been discussed at length in the media.  Up to this point I wasn’t really sure where I stood with the whole ‘highway’ saga.  Skeptics are saying it is not a safety issue.  How do they know that for sure?  Who knows?  One thing I know for sure.  If it saves one life, then the handful of trees coming down will be worth it.  

Another time…another place.

Back in the 90’s, my best half worked highway patrol for a year.  Many a night he bolted out of the house, pulling on his uniform as he ran.  While the rest of the world slept, he stood on the side of a country road lit with flares, shivering with the wintry cold blowing through his uniform.  He solemnly stood controlling the traffic, while an ambulance crew tended to the victim of a fatal automobile accident.

His job then was not for the faint of heart either.  

The reason I go back in time to these days is simple.  He remembers those times today.  When a group of people gather to rant and rave about some trees coming down, he remembers…having to go to a door… in the dead of night.

It is all about...perspective.

I certainly don’t know what it would be like to knock on a stranger’s door, having to announce to a parent, that their loved one had perished in an automobile accident.  He knows...but I hope I never will.  

I know where I stand with this whole highway debacle.  In the simplistic of terms:  If this new highway will save just ONE family from experiencing a loss…then it will be worth it.  

 “I’ll trade ya….a Life…for a few trees.”  (L.Lorraine)

Disclaimer:  My opinion has nothing to do with politics or ‘towing the party line.’  It is instead, a deeply personal opinion I have on the matter.  And for the record, I love trees.  But new trees can grow again, a life taken…is lost forever.