Mourning The Lokomotiv
October 22, 2011
When the Yaroslavl Lokomotiv plane crashed last month, killing virtually the entire team, I wasn’t prepared to be so grief-stricken. I attended a Lokomotiv game when I was in Yarolslavl — I wrote briefly about it here — and had a wonderful time. It’s the only professional hockey game I’ve ever attended. The love the city had for its team was so clear and evident — the team was a tremendous source of delight and joy for the people of Yaroslavl. All I could think about for days, weeks, after the crash was the grief of that wonderful city. I followed the news. The thought of the people. I remembered. I mourned. They still mourn.
I haven’t really been able to bring myself to write about it until now, and there’s not much to say. My thoughts and prayers go out to the people of Yaroslavl in their time of tragedy, but also in their times of joy. My experience there was amazing, and I will always be indebted to them for the warmth and hospitality they showed me, and for all they taught me. They will always hold a special place in my heart.
May the members of the Lokomotiv rest in peace, and may their loved ones and the city that loves them find comfort and healing.
Here is a recent story on the loss.
