End-of-Summer, Photo-Visit Blitz

My late summer’s pilgrimage to western Canada was two-fold: first in British Columbia with my husband’s family, then visiting my kin in Alberta.

We travelled by air to the furthest south-west part of British Columbia – Abbotsford – for a Toews reunion: delicious in every way with good food, catch-up conversations around the tables, hilarious fun and games (think modified Family Feud), one-on-one chats, singing, walking local trails.

The weekend wrapped up with a crazy-fun, hoppin’ dance floor; speakers belting out a super play-list, to celebrate with two of the young couples who got married during the season of COVID restrictions. Such a blast – perfect way to end an awesome weekend.

Kudos to Derryl’s siblings who pulled everything together…including a brilliant memento ….”label your personal mug for the weekend, then take it home with you”. Perfect size for my morning cappuccino!

A creative practical tribute to Mom Toews (now deceased), displayed a tidbit of favourites from her kitchen when serving the wide circle of family, and their friends, around her table.

Grandpa Toews (now in his early nineties) sat on the sidelines, listening, watching the action of the ‘fruitfulness’ of eight children and their children.

Derryl flew home to Nova Scotia; I enjoyed the gift of driving to Alberta with my daughter Renee and her husband Damien.

It’s always a magnificent drive through the Rockies; another special gift was the full view of Mt Robson’s snowy peak. Often capped with clouds – and considering the whole day’s drive we’d had smokey skies from the wildfires – I felt like it was God’s personal welcome-back-west gift to us three, who currently live in Quebec and Nova Scotia.

The next day, now ‘home’ in Alberta with a contrasting but forever familiar view, I was ready to go with the flow; connecting with as many family and friends that I possibly could.

Always on my list is a wee visit with Aunt Helen – age 102 and counting. As long as you don’t drop in during her 2:00 – 4:00pm naptime, she doesn’t mind visitors just showing up: which is what my sister Ruth and I did. She’s still in her own home, with clarity of mind and memory; a God-loving woman.

Next we were off to the farm. My brother Wayne passed a year ago, yet I sensed his essence driving into the yard – and missed him opening the door and walking down the sidewalk to meet me. We’d basically invited ourselves for supper; while visiting with Wayne’s wife Linda and daughter Carmen we picked, washed and prepped veggies from Carmen’s flourishing garden. I’m sure somewhere, her Dad was smiling and saying ‘that’s my girl’!

This grounding space is home: I don’t feel like a visitor as I wander through the yard and raspberry patch; mosey about in the big trees behind the house. The golden field south of the deck is the same view I had from the kitchen window as I learned how to cook, washed and dried dishes- and where Monday through Friday Mom would be on the lookout: “grab your lunches, get up to the road, the school bus is at Falk’s!”.

Before leaving Nova Scotia I had reserved one activity : a boat ride with big brother Glen on Coal Lake, near the hamlet of Gwynne where I went to school from Grades one through eight – about 11Km (7 miles) from our farm. This lake, a water source for the hamlet was created from a dam when I was growing up – we drove past it to go practically ‘everywhere’ but it was never a destination for leisure or pleasure (likely because there wasn’t a beach for swimming and we didn’t have a boat!)

Now it’s a different story. This lake is a favourite for fishing, boating, kayaking – yet still not for swimming, for no apparent reason other than ‘nobody does it!” I enjoyed a lovely ‘cruise with coffee and cookies’, courtesy of captain Glen and his wife Lois; shared with my sis Ruth and her husband Eldon. But for the record, I have resolved I’m not visiting this beautiful, clean body of water again without taking a dip!

The following days were a busy blur, connecting with family and friends. Some connections planned, i.e. walks with friends, revisiting Wetaskiwin’s By the Lake Park , adding to the gazillion kms we’d logged running together in the past. Other visits just happened; walking downtown; a stop at the grocery store, popping into a restaurant or business where friends work, running into a former optometrist on a street corner, a driver shouting from his vehicle waiting at a stoplight- “Karen, are you lost?” It all felt like a grand community hug!

Everywhere in Wetaskiwin is within walking distance; I included ‘points of interest’ en route to my different destinations. i.e. Heritage House where our family lived for several years (had one room for bed-and-breakfast guests) when the kids were still living at home, their schools two blocks away. And MacEachern House where sister-in-law Ruth Vandenberg and I had a teahouse business for a few years. Precious memories, yes indeed.

Get togethers catching up with siblings and their families, cousins, friends: the many gifts of fellowship, food, schedules adjusted to include these fun times – all so very much appreciated. xoxo

I’ve previously posted a story about my friend Christine, a thriving stroke survivor and author of several books whose focus and ambition is to encourage and support other stroke survivors. Some years, our visits have been limited to a hello and wee chat at her door. This time was an extra gift of time with tea and koláče, her homemade Czech pastry – and as always, I came away inspired and motivated. With hope and faith and courage we can be overcomers.

A special opportunity for me was helping at a seasonal grounds’ clean-up a few kilometres from ‘the farm’ – at the Crooked Lake Church and cemetery where many deceased neighbours and community members are buried- including my parents, brother, aunts and uncles, grandparents. These work bees haven’t previously coincided with my visits home – a highlight this time, especially shared with my siblings – left to right: Lorne, Glen and Ruth.

Then. It was time for up and away to return home: ever grateful for relationships, friendships, and precious times between the hellos and good-byes.

Thank you for reading,

xo, Karen