Born and raised on the Prairies, Shari Lukens, grew up in the wheat fields of Alberta. When she wasnB次元官网网址檛 working the golden fields on the familyB次元官网网址檚 grain farm, she spent her time carving her own path on the ice. She even landed a spot at the prestigious Mariposa School of Skating.

B次元官网网址淢y goal was to be world champion and thatB次元官网网址檚 what I was training for,B次元官网网址� Lukens said. But at 16, her skating dreams were ended by a drunk driver.

While she could no longer compete professionally, her passion led her to coaching, and eventually Denmark, where she not only taught other skaters but was also asked to teach power skating to the Danish menB次元官网网址檚 national hockey team.

B次元官网网址淭he Canadian-Danish Hockey team I used to call them.B次元官网网址� She laughed, at the time their roster including a large number of other Canadians.

After returning to Canada, Lukens shifted careers, while continuing to teach skating on the side, her focus was now in broadcast journalism.

B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檇 always wanted to do broadcasting,B次元官网网址� she said. After training in B.C. her career led her across the province and back to the Prairies.

It was while working on an award winning documentary that Lukens was set up on a blind date with the man that would eventually become her husband.

B次元官网网址淲e were married eight months to the day later,B次元官网网址� she said. The couple lived on the mainland for a while but in 2005, they could no longer resist the draw of the Island. Her husband was originally from the Duncan area, so the Cowichan Valley seemed like a perfect fit.

B次元官网网址淲e were avid fishermen so it was fabulous.B次元官网网址�

But their Island life together was short-lived. In 2006, LukensB次元官网网址� husband was killed in a helicopter crash.

B次元官网网址淚t really takes the wind out of your sails,B次元官网网址� she sighed. Her father had been a pilot and she knew the risks of the profession, they had even talked about it being a possibility but she said you never imagine something like that ever happening.

It was a dark time, one that was made worse by court proceedings five years later. Although she did not initiate them, she was still forced to go through the discovery process and relive those horrific events. It pushed her into a deep place and she was diagnosed with PDST. She attributes her ability to move forward to her support team and network. And at the time the Conservative party was bringing in a victimB次元官网网址檚 rights bill, which really resonated with her.

B次元官网网址淚n my heart I knew what he wanted.B次元官网网址�

So in 2009, B次元官网网址淚 decided I needed to take care of Shari,B次元官网网址� she said.

In August of that year she moved to Colwood, a place that had years before left her awestruck by its beauty. She had told herself that B次元官网网址淚f I ever get the opportunity to move down here I would.B次元官网网址�

That love of the West Shore drew her into the area and she became highly engaged in its communities, eventually running for Colwood City council in 2011 and serving until 2014.

But tragedy struck again and just as she was preparing to run for another term her mother was diagnosed with cancer. She was forced to make what she refers to as a B次元官网网址渓ife choiceB次元官网网址� and not knowing what kind of treatment her mother would need, she decided not to run. She said she didnB次元官网网址檛 want any absences caused by her taking care of her mother in Alberta to force a by-election and cost tax payers more money.

Now, she is onto what she calls B次元官网网址減lan BB次元官网网址� and has put her travel plans on hold with the hopes of representing her electoral riding in Ottawa.

When sheB次元官网网址檚 not out campaigning sheB次元官网网址檚 at home with her 11-year-old English springer spaniel named Maestro.

B次元官网网址淗eB次元官网网址檚 Mr. Personality,B次元官网网址� she said of her beloved dog, who originally belonged to her husband and is her B次元官网网址渓ast real connectionB次元官网网址� with him.

While she doesnB次元官网网址檛 get out on the ice as much as sheB次元官网网址檇 like to in more recent years she still holds onto her skates. She said getting out on the ice, B次元官网网址渢hatB次元官网网址檚 where I really feel freedom and passion.B次元官网网址� She said skating has taught her to get back up when you fall.

katie@goldstreamgazette.com