By now you have likely been profoundly saddened by media reports of the Humboldt crash that killed 15 members of the Broncos hockey family and  the subsequent vigils . You may be a friend or relative of at least one of the 15 victims. At Saskatchewan Pension Plan we share your grief and mourn with you.

In this space, we typically write about money – how to save it and how to spend it. But in reality, the heart and soul of our content is families. You learn about budgeting, paying down debt, registered educational savings plans and registered retirement savings plans so you can provide a good life for your family and remain independent when you retire.

You plan your finances so you can help your children mature into responsible adults and support their dreams to be professional athletes, farmers, electricians, teachers or nurses. You imagine attending their graduations, weddings and the birth of your grandchildren. And with the death of a child you are suddenly robbed of that future. In time dealing with their intense sorrow may become a little easier for parents of the Humboldt crash victims, but they will never forget.

I offer the link to a YouTube video of Rise Again by East Coast composer Leon Dubinsky, as sung by the Rankin Family. To me, the words of this beautiful song captures the role that our children play in our lives and in our hearts.

RISE AGAIN (WE RISE AGAIN)

When the waves roll on over the waters
And the ocean cries.
We look to our sons and daughters
To explain our lives
As if a child could tell us why.

That as sure as the sunrise
As sure as the sea
As sure as the wind in the trees.

We rise again in the faces of our children.
We rise again in the voices of our song.
We rise again in the waves out on the ocean,
And then we rise again.

When the light goes dark with the forces of creation
Across a stormy sky.
We look to reincarnation to explain our lives.
As if a child could tell us why.

That as sure as the sunrise
As sure as the sea
As sure as the wind in the trees.

We rise again in the faces of our children.
We rise again in the voices of our song.
We rise again in the waves out on the ocean,
And then we rise again.

We rise again in the faces of our children.
We rise again in the voices of our song.
We rise again in the waves out on the ocean,
And then we rise again.

And then we rise again.

***

As I write this, a gofundme campaign for families of the victim has exceeded its $4 million target but remains open. In memory of the deceased you may also wish to make a donation of time or money to the sports organization or another charity of your choice supporting young people in your community.

 

Written by Sheryl Smolkin
	Sheryl Smolkin LLB., LLM is a retired pension lawyer and President of Sheryl Smolkin & Associates Ltd. For over a decade, she has enjoyed a successful encore career as a freelance writer specializing in retirement, employee benefits and workplace issues. Sheryl and her husband Joel are empty-nesters, residing in Toronto with their cockapoo Rufus.