“When you’re down in troubles
And you need some love and care,
And nothing, nothing is going right,
Close your eyes and think of me,
And soon, I will be there,
To brighten up your darkest night…
Carole King, You’ve Got A Friend
I was driving to work prior to writing this piece and I happened to be listening to a CD of a pair of friends, James Taylor and Carole King, singing this mellow classic from the 1970s.
I thought thank goodness the Corrigan and Gosselin families have friends in the Blackie and the Foothills area who can help them in what is their darkest nights.
Like the entire foothills area — and all of Canada — my heart dropped when I heard the tragic news of the death of Carter Corrigan, 19, and Eli Gosselin, 20, in a vehicle rollover on Dec. 20.
What a tremendous loss.
Carter was a third-year engineering student at the University of Alberta, while Eli was a captain of the High River Junior B Flyers. Countless stories were given of these friends’ sense of humour and loyalty to their peers and their community.
You know Blackie and the surrounding area will be there for their friends.
I have been connected with several small towns and hamlets since starting to work at community newspapers since 1991, and there is something different about the Blackie area.
After just a few visits, you can feel how close knit the community is.
That was never more evident when Blackie area residents literally opened their doors to myself and thousands others from High River after the flood of 2013.
Both the young men helped with flood recovery. In fact, on Dec. 22 I wore my Mud, Sweat and Tears t-shirt to work in memory of Carter Corrigan. The Corrigans’ helped create the t-shirt shortly after the flood to raise funds for High River residents (I still owe the Corrigans $20…)
While I will — have — spent my Christmas break enjoying cheer and goodwill with loved ones, my heart has gone out to the Corrigans and Gosselins in what is supposed to be the merriest time of the year.
I have found some solace in knowing they will be in the comfort of a community which cares so much for their friends.
