We thought it was only us having a case of post-Arctic Winter Games blues.
It is not any recognized medical condition, but it is a definite feeling of something missing in Hay River now that the games are over.
For the past few years, Hay River had a definite and unique focus – the fact that the Arctic Winter Games were on the way and they would be the biggest undertaking ever by our community (in partnership with Fort Smith, of course).
The prospect of the Arctic Winter Games were – all at the same time – exciting, challenging, unifying and a little bit daunting. Even for people on the periphery of the organizing effort or not directly involved at all, it was an interesting time to live in Hay River.
More than anything else, it gave Hay River a focus that is now obviously missing.
When the last bus carrying the athletes from the circumpolar world pulled out of Hay River on March 24, the town went crashing back to normal.
There is nothing wrong with going back to normal, of course. Hay River is an interesting community even when it is not working towards the Arctic Winter Games. And no community can always have something like that international event to provide a focus.
However, the difference between Hay River before the games and after the games is striking.
At least it felt that way to us.
Like we said, we thought it was only us, until we asked Mayor Brad Mapes about the town missing something by not having the focus of the Arctic Winter Games.
Mapes says he has also heard that from a few people.
But being his optimistic self, the mayor says there are many other things that Hay River has to work towards, while also noting the NWT Track and Field Championships and its thousand participants will be returning to the community in a few months.
That is all true, of course. But the NWT Track and Field Championships – with all due respect – will never be able to generate the excitement of the Arctic Winter Games.
Actually, we don't think there is anything that will be able to replace the Arctic Winter Games to unify and focus a small northern community on one single event. Those games are unique in that they combine sports and culture, and often a family history of participating in some of the sports.
It's hard to get a more unifying – and uniquely Northern – event than the Arctic Winter Games.
So we figure that we will eventually get over our case of the post-AWG blues, just like everyone else who may be experiencing it.
Time heals all. That even goes for this curious feeling of emptiness now that a sporting and cultural event has come and gone.
Actually, it sounds sort of weird and funny to admit to a case of post-AWG blues, since many will argue that it is more imaginary than real.
But we believe that it is real because we've got it, and apparently so do some other people in Hay River.