We spent the better part of the last week out on a little travelled Gulf Island: Lasqueti, with good friends who have found their ways and paths there.
It was such a great week for all of us. For me, I reconnected with my longtime friend, Jenny, and her son Gryphon who are both so close to my heart.
For Adam, it was a time without a schedule or a bell ringing.
For Evan and Oliver it was a week of the outdoors and the unexpected.
For all of us, it was a week of open experiences and open people. I'm so glad that we all had the chance to get "out of the box" and feel how our friends are living.
Highlights: marimba intoxication, 9 on 9 and 3 on 3 ultimate, wheelbarrows of delight, forest wanderings, sleeping in the home that Jenny built and Evan's absolute trust of the people to whom we introduced him (within minutes he was peering into Peter's eyes, hanging between his knees - - - Ok, maybe you had to be there!).
It was also a great chance for us to jump ahead to spring. Though March 20th has come and gone in Calgary, the green is just peeping through. In contrast, on Lasqueti the flowers are in bloom and we were eating from Jenny's garden. I'll never forget the site of Evan hanging out in the garden and asking if he could eat more kale from the Jenny's plants. (Please let him ask for more kale at home!).
It is so so good to get an alternate perspective every so often. We live in such a consumer-oriented world here in the city that we need the retreat of the island life every so often - yes, maybe more often. It was touching to see how affected our kids were: Evan cryed his eyes out on the ferry when we left; wishing already for our next visit with our dear friends both old (Jenny and Gryphon), and new (Sue, Peter and Sheila).
Thanks to our hosts for their generosity. We hope to reciprocate in the not-so-distant-future.
