I am reminded tonight that it was a year ago that the lives of many people in Parks Canada changed forever.
In my own case, it was a planned retirement.
For most, it was totally unexpected.
As predicted, pretty well everyone has landed on their feet.
Many are on new adventures that were not on the radar, or even on bucket lists, twelve months earlier.
Others have found the adjustment a little harder.
No wonder.
It was not an easy time.
But all have persevered and moved on.
And to those left behind to soldier on, I know that in many cases you have probably had it hardest of all.
It’s not easy seeing friends and colleagues let go.
It’s not easy being left behind.
But there is still important work to do and I feel good knowing that there are still good people there to do it.
It may not be the same organization.
It may never be.
But the notion of parks and protected areas is as important now as it’s ever been.
Maybe more so.
So to those of you who had to move on, to make huge changes to your lives, to adjust to the new reality, and to those who are regrouping within the organization to retain as much of the good stuff as possible, my thoughts are with you.
Kudos to you all.