Family Flees Burning Town, But What Dad Realizes In Car Will Tear Your Heart Open

#1

John MacIsaac explains his family's story of barely getting out of the huge fire that tore through the city of Fort McMurray, where a state of emergency was declared. An enormous wildfire took over more than 24,000 acres. Ordered to evacuate were 88,000 people, including MacIssac.

Naturally when such a thing takes place, you look at all the possessions you are leaving behind. MacIssac went through this same thinking, but then he looked around him.

In the end it was his family which was the only thing of importance. The whole experience was a tremendous reminder of what really matters in life. Learn about his close call escape and the new outlook which he has on life.

#2

MacIsaac's Facebook post is transcribed below:

"I am laying here in the dark on the floor of a camp room. My family was fortunate enough to get a room but I know not everyone was as lucky. Right now I am so jealous of my children because they have no fears, no sense of loss about everything. It'd actually calming for me to reassure my daughter that her toys don't matter, and that the few personal items we got out are more than we need."

#3

"It's funny because as I stare in the dark I keep telling myself that the words running through my head aren't true. The words "it's all gone" won't pass. But I keep reminding myself of what I know to be true more than ever. I have everything in this room with me. When I was leaving our home I looked all around and tried to decide what was important enough to take and the answer was nothing. Nothing mattered except my family. It still doesn't. And I feel so grateful because when I tried to leave town south bound I was delegates from my wife and my daughter Olivia, and I had my daughter Emma with me. I got to a pint where I couldn't go further and the highway was covered in flames and I didn't think we would make it out. I looked at my angel and I have never felt such a fear. Such dread thinking I wouldn't be able to save what I hold dear. That's what I can't shake. What I can't let go. And while I trembled and shook; my little girl in all her innocence smiled at me and was laughing and wanted to play."

#4

"I'm not writing this for help or for sympathy. I have what I need and we will be just fine. I'm writing this for two reasons. One because I need to let some of this out of my head, and two because I hope it will make everyone squeeze your kids a little tighter this week. Read them and extra bed time story. Give them and ice cream and watch them smile. Call your sister you are angry at and make up, or your brother you haven't had time to chat with in a while and say hi. Tell your loved ones they are loved and make time for a family dinner. Everything else is bullshit. It does not matter."