During a time of crisis, support can be found from many different sources. Now that the big vote is over and both Vale Inco and the Steelworkers have given up on talking for a spell, we, as a community, are left hanging in the balance. For those who are affected by the strike — financially, mentally, emotionally — they are faced with the question: What now? Where does one go? What does one do?

We are lucky to live in such a caring community.

Do you remember that distinction? Not that we need numbers to believe it, but reflect on this: a 2008 study, done for Maclean’s by the National Council on Learning, ranked Greater Sudbury as the fourth “most caring” community in Canada. According to the report, the statistic was measured by volunteer rates. Levels of volunteering is important in determining the overall learning scores for major cities because, according to the Canadian Council on Learning, volunteering “helps fortify community services.”

And there have been plenty of volunteers at work in our community, especially lately. Like hair stylists offering free hair cuts to strikers, businesses giving discounts to union members, individuals donating food, and the list goes on.

Our community may be mired in a strike that has become unnecessarily ugly, but at least our community still has the strength of its caring citizens. On Monday, the Sudbury and District Labour Council will host a “Bridging the Gap Rally” in support of strikers. This past weekend, churches across the north joined in prayer for a “creative and peaceful solution to be quickly achieved.”

It is encouraging to see people continue to come out and support one another, even when all seems to be lost.

No matter what happens, no matter who is right, or who is wrong, how we treat and support one another in this life is what really counts. Our time on this earth is too unpredictable to have it any other way.

Consider the words of Warren Buffet, an American businessman, investor and philanthropist:

“Let’s say that it was 24 hours before you were born, and a genie appeared and said, ‘What I’m going to do is let you set the rules of the society into which you will be born. You can set the economic rules and the social rules, and whatever rules you set will apply during your lifetime and your children’s lifetimes.’ And you’ll say, ‘Well, that’s nice, but what’s the catch?’ And the genie says, ‘Here’s the catch. You don’t know if you’re going to be born rich or poor, white or black, male or female, able-bodied or infirm, intelligent or (mentally handicapped).’”

No one can predict the future — a frustrating reality for all those who are affected by the strike, or any other hardship, for that matter. All the old rules don’t seem to apply, which gives credence to another Warren Buffet quote: “If past history was all there was to the game, the richest people would be librarians.”

Thank goodness the stuff of real value — who we are as a people and a community — is still owned by the people of Greater Sudbury. It’s what we do with it that counts.

Wendy Bird is managing editor of Northern Life.