I write this article with tears in my eyes and a heavy heart. Although I didn’t know anyone on the Humboldt Broncos Hockey Team or anyone connected to the team this tragedy that happened over a week ago has rocked my world.
A Billet Mom Shares Her Thoughts
As a Billet Mom I need to express my feelings of what it is like being a Billet Parent and caring for a Billet Son. It can be one of the most wonderful and rewarding experiences you will ever have. However, being a Billet Parent does not come without its share of worry. You worry about him like a Son as he becomes a very important part of your family. You hope he will always be safe especially on those long road trips. You hope he doesn’t get injured playing the game he loves. Every time your Billet Son goes out the door you tell him to have a good day or wish him good luck on his game. Every time they leave the house you trust that he will return safely. Never do you expect that he will not return.
What Would We Do Without Billet Parents?
As Billet Parents you are always there for them through the good times and bad. You give him a place to live and make it a friendly and warm environment for them to be in. You care for these boys like they are your own. You cook for them, do laundry, talk to them when they need it, offer advice, keep them focused on their school work, encourage them with their hockey, when they are sick or injured you nurse them back to good health, you console them, comfort them and of course you cheer them on. You build a very strong bond with them and their families. You share quality time with them and you never think of anything tragic ever happening.
Read: Billets give these boys a home away from home and they are like family.
A Tragedy For The Humboldt Broncos
On our lamp post in Memory
This tragedy with the Humboldt Broncos team has devastated their town and everyone in it. The town of Humboldt, the Province of Saskatchewan, Our Country and Our World have all been affected by this. I cannot fathom how these people in Humboldt are coping with this tragedy. How the families are dealing with death and injury. How the town is dealing with what has happened.
As a Billet Mom I looked forward to my Billet Sons games at home or away. I would sit there excited for the game to start and was so proud of my Billet Son when he stepped on the ice. I can’t even imagine those people waiting for a playoff game that would never happen and how on that night their world was turned upside down.
Read: A former Billet Mother of one of the players speaks about her feelings.
A Billet Mom Shares In The Pain
As a Billet Mom I share in the pain. I know what it is like to be worried sick and having a Billet Son who ended up in Emergency. I know what it is like having a Billet Son injured in a game and not being able to find out what is wrong with him or the extent of his injuries. I know what it is like having a Billet Son with a concussion and having to monitor him closely. I know what it is like to deal with tragedy in life. What I don’t know is how these people are really feeling and how they are dealing with this catastrophe. I cannot even imagine what is going through the minds of those involved. How is anyone connected with this hockey team coping with their loss? How are the survivors coping and how are the families coping?
Billets for The Humboldt Broncos
The Billets of any team are special. In the case of the Humboldt Broncos may the Billet Families find comfort and strength in each other as they come to grips with all that has happened.
At our Home as a tribute to the Humboldt Broncos
I feel deep sympathy for those Billets who had Billet Sons living in their homes that either passed away or lay in the hospital in serious condition. Reading their stories I was choked up with tears and emotion. I cannot grasp the magnitude of losing someone you have taken into your home and grown to love.
Read: A Billet Mom who billeted 3 players and 2 of them died in the accident
No amount of sympathy will bring them back. As a Billet Mom it is hard to come to grips with the reality that these Billets who lost a Billet Son will never hear their voice again, they will never hear their laughter or see them smile. They will never make them another pre-game meal or watch them play hockey again. To me it is so sad and so devastating that I just can’t get it out of my mind. I am reeling in disbelief that something like this happened.
Read: Humboldt Broncos player Evan thomas mourned by his Billet Family
Read: A Billet family remembers their Billet Son, captain Login Shatz
In Memory Of The Humboldt Broncos Team
On the door handle of our car in Memory
I hunted all over the house for some green ribbon. Finally, after a lengthy search I found a roll of Christmas ribbon which had gold stars on it. I though this was fitting as everyone of those who lost their life and all the survivors are stars in their own way. Each has contributed to the team. To show our respect we have placed a hockey stick with a green ribbon on it on our front porch. We have a green ribbon tied around our lamp post and my husband has tied green ribbon on the car antenna, the door handle and the back wiper. The other day he even left the house for work with his hockey sweater on and a green ribbon attached to it.
The Humboldt Broncos Need Our Support
When I watched the memorial service my heart went out to every person gathered there. I was so moved by the words that were spoken and by the emotions of those who spoke. I was so taken with how that community and everyone around it came together and how they comforted each other.
For those who lost their life in this horrific accident my heartfelt sympathy goes out to the parents, brothers, sisters, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, billet families, friends and fans. To everyone who is recovering my prayers go out to you. Some remain in critical condition and some are severely injured, they all need our prayers.
Support this team through prayer. Pray for healing of those who have lost a family member, for the survivors as they get better over the coming days, weeks and months and for the people in Humboldt. Pray for the players from other teams that have played against the Humboldt Broncos team. Pray for anyone who had a connection to this team. Just pray!
The Humboldt Broncos Hockey Team Mourns The Loss
and May You
REST IN PEACE PLAYERS:
LOGAN BOULET, ADAM HEROLD,
LOGAN HUNTER, JASON JOSEPH,
JACOB LEICHT, CONNER LUKAN,
LOGAN SCHATZ, EVAN THOMAS,
PARKER TOBIN and STEPHEN WACK
REST IN PEACE COACHING STAFF:
HEAD COACH DARCY HAUGAN and ASSISTANT COACH MARK CROSS
REST IN PEACE PLAY-BY-PLAY RADIO ANNOUNCER:
TYLER BIEBER
REST IN PEACE STATISTICIAN:
BRODY HINZ
REST IN PEACE BUS DRIVER:
GLEN DOERKSEN
REST IN PEACE ATHLETIC THERAPIST
DAYNA BRONS
In Loving Memory of all those who lost their lives
Read my poem in memory of the Humboldt Broncos “A Team In Heaven”
Support the Humboldt Broncos.
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