The
demolition of Estevan’s Civic Auditorium began today and I must
say that I am
sad to see it go. From
countless rec hockey
games to cheering for the Bruins with my family, I have a lot good
memories
tied up in that old building. However, this is not completely
unprecedented in
my life as several old buildings that were significant to me have
met the same
fate.
The
Civic Centre (commonly known as “The Crushed Can”) in my hometown
of Moose Jaw
was an important part of my childhood. I
can still remember looking through the lobby doors and seeing the
white ice surface
below with the colourful seats rising to the ceiling high above. Watching the Moose Jaw
Canucks and then the
Warriors in that building was a magical thing to me. Sadly, the Civic Centre met the
wrecking ball
in 2012.
Western
Christian College, where I received my Bachelor’s degree, used to
occupy several
old air force buildings in North Weyburn.
Though some of the buildings still exist and are being used
for other
purposes, most of the structures and even the school itself are
long gone.
Even
the
venerable stadium at Taylor Field could not stand forever. I went to my first Rider game
when I was 12
years old and I could show you the exact seat, if it still
existed. Everyone who has
been to the new stadium
tells me how great it is, but part of me that misses the good
times that I had
at the old one.
And
those are just buildings. Do
not get me
started reminiscing about the people, events and milestones that
have come and
gone! As I get older, I am
reminded more
and more that things change whether you want them too or not.
Admittedly,
to this point, this article has sounded sort of depressing, but
there is
another side to the story. As
Paul
reminds us, “Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we
are being
renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are
achieving for us
an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes
not on what is
seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but
what is unseen
is eternal” (2 Corinthians 4:16-18).
Nothing
lasts forever, but that is ok.
This world is
not our home
anyway.
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