Karen Toews
Scripting Vibrant Living Beyond An Empty Nest
Category: Aging *Project
A new house….plus SO much more
April 13th marked one year since Derryl and I moved into our new house. We’re in our seventies: I think this is our last house, albeit I’ve said that before – including the house before this one – which I loved; where I was… Continue Reading “A new house….plus SO much more”
A late review – our twelve days of Christmas
Except for a few deck lights and red balls with mini lights wrapped around my bamboo tree, Christmas decor is stashed away in storage. The poinsettia and some shortbread, fruitcake, nuts and cereal snack mix are reminders of the Sanctuary’s 12-day Christmas celebration. Coordinating… Continue Reading “A late review – our twelve days of Christmas”
Home is ….
I am now ready to write the next instalment of a story that began about 12 years ago while hiking in the woods with our daughter Renee. The recap: Renee shared the intention she and her husband Damien wanted to move to live near… Continue Reading “Home is ….”
Celebrating 50 years … a family weekend
Our wedding photo tells the truth: Derryl and I were mere children when we vowed “I do, I will”. Fifty years later, thinking about this ‘crazy-big-number ‘milestone, I’m excited to share a photo-story of our celebration with family, and community friends who have become… Continue Reading “Celebrating 50 years … a family weekend”
Hello 70’s
June 22nd I turned my life-calendar ahead to another decade: the 70’s. Seventy feels like a ridiculously big number that makes me wonder, how on earth did this happen already? This is how. I have been busy doing life with a web of family… Continue Reading “Hello 70’s”
Grateful for my Body. Today.
A couple weeks ago, clear as an audible voice I heard: “Karen, are you grateful for your body?” Though the question caught me off guard, answers fill pages in my journal where “so help me God”, the truth hits the page. Thoughts and laments… Continue Reading “Grateful for my Body. Today.”
Family Moving to Nova Scotia: A Dream I Didn’t Even Think to Wish for
When I get messages from my kids – texts, emails, phone calls – they’re special news bulletins I read or pick up as fast as they come. Text April 11, 2021 “Hey Mom, are you and Dad available tonight? I’d like to chat about… Continue Reading “Family Moving to Nova Scotia: A Dream I Didn’t Even Think to Wish for”
Knowing Who We Are in our 60’s
The summer and autumn of 2019 were months of visiting and hosting family, hiking, kayaking, camping with my husband and grandkids. My personality type is naturally enthused and ready for the next fun thing so it was a wonderful season for me. But. Months… Continue Reading “Knowing Who We Are in our 60’s”
Resilience in Every Age
In my research for Aging as a Positive Project I discovered author Mary Piper: an encourager for navigating life and flourishing as we age. She referenced a short book: a legend of two old women’s resilience after being abandoned by their tribe during a… Continue Reading “Resilience in Every Age”
Aging as a Positive Project
Last year when I hit my mid-sixties I realized my children are closer to middle-age than I am! Technically I’m either in the second middle-age – yes, there is such a category – or in the first stage of old-age. Yikes… My personality type… Continue Reading “Aging as a Positive Project”
Karen Toews 