After summer brought a historical drought to the Maritimes, a chance lightning strike started a wildfire in West Dalhousie (NS), ten kilometres from our home. We were immediately placed on standby orders to prepare to evacuate should the wind or weather push the flames in our direction. A small collection of what we deemed the most important items remained in our hallway for weeks. We quickly built a way to move our animals safety. We learned to read fire maps and became accustomed to mornings of thick smoke, water bombers flying overhead and billowing clouds on our horizon. 

It was only a matter of time until a climate emergency appeared on our doorstep and nobody prepares you how to parent your children through it.  You simply walk a tightening line between despair and hope for the future.