When C.C., my beloved, left on Monday to drive to Saskatoon, the weather report showed the winter storm north east of his route.
The weather had a different agenda than the weather report.
Two hours out of the city, he ran smack dab into the storm. Visibility dropped to almost zero. Snow blew and drifts collected on the highway in front of him. The road became a skating rink. He slowed down. And slowed down some more.
He wasn’t far from Oyen on the Alberta/Saskatchewan border when the accident happened. Coming around a bend, he spied tail lights in the distance. It wasn’t until he was a couple of hundred metres from the lights that he realized, the lights weren’t moving. Traffic was stopped.
He tried to stop. Touched the brakes lightly. And that was all that was needed. His car began to turn of its own volition, all four tires skating across the ice. He turned against the car’s direction. Tried to control his spin.
But it was no use. He side-swiped into the car in front of him. It spun across the ice, hit the truck that was jack-knifed on the highway and stopped. Eventually, C.C. found himself in the ditch. Right side up. No injuries to him or anyone else but big ‘owies’ on one side of his car and to the front-end of the car he hit.
Fortunately, no one was hurt, but as he waited for emergency responders to come down the line of the 40+ cars that had piled up along the 4 kilometre stretch of highway leading into Oyen, he said a prayer of gratitude, breathed deeply to calm his shaking nerves and thanked his lucky stars.
It could have been worse.
He spent the night in Oyen, along with about 150 stranded travellers who were billeted in schools and the Legion throughout the little town.
It was amazing, he told me the next day. The townspeople came out in full force and fed us and made coffee and ensured everyone was okay. And the next day, when the highway reopened at noon, they ferried people out to their abandoned cars, helped them find tow-trucks and shovels and anything else they needed so that they could get back on the road and continue on their journeys.
Makes me believe in small towns all over again, C.C. told me last night. The people were absolutely amazing. They barely slept the whole night, some of the emergency responders hadn’t slept in 48 hours, yet, there they were, helping, pitching in, doing whatever it took to make sure people were cared for and safe.
Here’s to the people of Oyen. Your support. Your help. Your amazing spirit made a huge difference in the lives of people like C.C. who were stranded on the road, seeking shelter in a storm. You were there to embrace them and make a difference.
And, thank you from my heart too. Knowing C.C. was safe, knowing he had a place to be, gave me comfort. Your loving support made a huge difference in the lives of everyone like me — those whose loved ones were on the road, battling the storm, seeking refuge.
Thank you everyone in Oyen. You opened up your hearts to strangers and have touched thousands of lives with your generosity.
Dare Boldly 
Hats off to people of Oyen for stepping up and helping stranded people. Oyen was my home at one time(years ago) there were a lot of people in the area with BIG HEARTS and helping hands It is nice to hear it is remaning that way.
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Proud of my old home town, great to hear they did such a great job with all the stranded people.
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They did an amazing job Muriel! Thanks for visiting here!
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God bless them! Thank God CC is safe and sound and none is hurt.
I have seen some snow storm movies, driving in them is a scary experience for sure.
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I thank you for your lovely words for Oyen , the town I call home. I am an RN there and only took in 6 extra high school boys to sleep the night. I know all of the volunteer firemen and everyone else who helped all the stranded travelers and I am so proud of them. I cried when I read your thanks and I am so proud that you got the help you needed. It’s times like these when we realize that we really all are “small town” people who sometimes just need little acts of kindness to get thru life, Kathy Hoffman.
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I am Proud to call Oyen my Home!!
I’m glad everyone was alright, Thank you to all of the Oyen crew who helped out in their own little way.
Quinton Beaumont
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it is assuring to know that people still do care and will show it by their actions!!!Oyen, will hold a special feeling to many around!!!
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Thanks for your story and kind words about our town. As one of the volunteers in the kitchen at the Legion I got to see first hand some of the activities and to meet and greet the stranded motorists. As editor of the Oyen Echo could I have permission to amalgamate your story as well as comments from some of the folks who have also commented about. Not everyone has the privilege of sharing such good news on facebook.
Diana
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That would be wonderful if you would Diana — my partner, Charles, my partner, was very impressed by how well he was treated both during the ‘adventure’ on the highway, at the Legion and on retrieving his car from the ditch — so thank you for taking such good care of him.
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I was raised in Oyen and now reside 30 km just north of there. Some things have changed since I grew up there, but the caring and generosity of residence there hasn’t changed. I’m so proud to call Oyen “Home”.
Glad to hear everyone was ok!
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Thanks Brenda for dropping in! And yes, the caring and generosity is wonderful!
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love this story and its happy ending!
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Wow Oyen my hat is off to you. I have many fond memories of growing up in the Esther area and the wonderfulness of small towns where everybody knew everybody and everybody was your neighbor.If anyone came to our house they were always invited to stay for a meal or have tea and something to eat. Most small town folks seem to have a gift of hospitality. It was a lovely thing to be a part of community. Thankyou prairie people for the memories
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That is Oyen, AB for you! They are a small town with a REALLY big heart! So glad everyone was not injured too bad in that storm! It was a BAD one!
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So glad everyone is OK!
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I am so glad that C.C. wasn’t hurt and that there were no others hurt. What a terrifying story, but also so heartening to read how everyone pulled together in help and caring.
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Reblogged this on talktodiana and commented:
A testament to humanity in a time of crisis. Thanks for writing this one Louise!
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I love how people come together in a time of crisis. I’m so very glad C.C is alright as well.
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What a wonderful example of love for fellow mankind in time of obvious need.
May we remember that needs aren’t always this obvious yet just as crucial that they be met. May we always share a smile, act in kindness, give in small, significant ways to each one that God brings across our path.
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There is a town of heroes. So glad C.C. is okay and he found a safe haven in the storm!
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So awesome. I just love what you write. This one’s for me too. Frederick and i miraculously made it down the highway to the Super 8 just outside of Oyen. We must have been ahead of all these other vehicles because we only saw one in the ditch and a couple pulled over. I guided Frederick as best I could and we made it. At the Super 8, they cared for us wonderfully. Although there were no rooms, we found a piece of carpet in the computer room. They fed us, gave us blankets, cared for our owies, kept our dogs happy, ordered in food for us, and so much more. The Mayor came over and invited us to stay in the town of Oyen. Many people went but many stayed at the hotel just happy to be warm and safe. Our car was hung up on the service road and we loved our little niche we had carved out for ourselves. I love the people of Oyen and give a huge compliment to the Super 8 for their free hospitality.
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