'Mommy cries a lot': Pottle family overwhelmed by kindness following Fort Mac disaster

"Are you guys from Fort Mac?" Edmonton resident Matt Lougheed asked as members of the Pottle family walked by.

"Yes we are," replied Clay Pottle, a Labrador city native. 

The brief exchange on the parking lot of an evacuation centre began an emotional scene filled with charity, compassion, gratitude and relief.

Lougheed, his wife and two-year-old son, had packed their vehicle with clothing, food, and other supplies and and on Sunday drove to the Edmonton Expo Centre, to offer help to displaced residents of Fort McMurray.

Their gesture of kindness reduced Lisa Pottle to tears. She had to sit down on the curb and compose herself.

"It's a very beautiful thing to see," Lisa, formerly of Cormack, said while choking back tears.

Repeated incidents of kindness, charity

There was shower gel, toothpaste and shirts for 10-year-old Rachel Pottle, and toys and other items for five-year-old David.

"We're just trying to do our part," Matt Lougheed said.

The encounter was yet another example of the many acts of support and encouragement for the Pottle family since they fled their burning city on Tuesday.

I can't look back because it hurts too much, and I can't look forward too far because I worry too much.  - Clay Pottle

Their home, like many, was flattened by the raging wildfires and they lost just about everything.

The generosity of strangers has helped the Pottles cope with the upheaval that's been thrust upon them, but it's still not easy.

"Mommy cries a lot," David said, watching his mother struggle to maintain her composure as she described a Mother's Day under such challenging circumstances.

"It's really sad, but they managed to make me scrambled eggs this morning so that was pretty good. Somebody gave me some flowers, so we're good," Lisa said.

"Possessions are hard to lose, but we have each other," she added.

'He did something beautiful for me'

Clay Pottle said he's learned some valuable lessons from his children in recent days.

His prized replica of a saber tooth cat's skull was lost in the fire, and that didn't go unnoticed by little David.

Without prompting, David picked up some replica skulls at a store and brought them to the cashier, saying they were for his dad.

'He did something beautiful for me so it makes me realize that in times like this, beautiful memories can be created." 

Clay said it's hard to know how to feel these days.

"I can't look back because it hurts too much, and I can't look forward too far because I worry too much," he said.