Here is what I know.. I know we came here in April of 2012, and this is our third winter here.. Our third Christmas without the family home to host holiday festivities. In that three years our extended family has been incredibly generous in opening their homes to us for family dinners, present wrapping and pillows to lay our heads.
I know that life on the learning curve has become the norm. Each and every day I wake up not knowing what the day will include… Chances are great that a battery will die, the deer will eat one of my plants or I will trip on a tree stump.. But chances are equally as great that we will see nature at it finest, humanity at it best and find time to treasure a new friendship.
I know that we miss our family and friends from the city. I miss my garden, my house and our life when the children were young.. I miss E’s Dad and his unconditional support. I miss my Mom living right around the corner from me..
I also know that moving here has been a Gods send.. With all of our friends still working and the children off doing what they do when they are adults…..We would have had nothing to do all day. We would have been bored out of our minds.
I know that I have to finish all of the opened bottles of wine in the fridge tonight before we leave the island or they will go bad.
Here is what I don’t know…
I don’t know what I would do without all of the friends new and old I have in my life. I don’t know what I would do without E patiently helping me drive the boat, drive the truck, carry the propane, chop the wood. Lets face it.. helping me with everything.
I don’t know how I ever in a million years earned this amazing life on the nature channel with my best friend, but I promise to make each day count the best that I can.
Most importantly, I do not know how I am going to get all of our Christmas shopping done on December 23rd
I wish you all the happiness and good health that you deserve and will see you in the New Year. I appreciate the time you spend to read about our life here, I love you all
Merry Merry Christmas
Off the Grid Islander 
Thanks for this. Perfect reflection for this time of year.
So sorry we missed the dinner party. It looks like so much fun… and we could have just stumbled across the lawn from Soho to get home! However, we have been productive helping Ashley/Joe with painting etc., and that feels good too.
We were shocked to get a call to say that one of our best friends — a fellow we went to University with — dropped dead of a heart attack at home (in Kelowna) last Friday night. Just 3 weeks before, he and his wife Barbara had stayed with us for 3 nights. We enjoyed a fun dinner on the Friday night (exactly 3 weeks to the minute before he died) and then they were mostly busy with family events for the Grey Cup weekend. No indications that this was coming. It’s such a shock.
It sure does remind us that life is tentative… and that we have just these precious moments.
All the best to you and the family. Enjoy your time together. Love Sue
PS. Thanks again for your blog – it is such a treat to follow along with your lives on DI.
>
LikeLike
Thanks for reading SF, I really do feel honoured that you all take the time to follow… You two were missed at the dinner. Sorry about your friend…what a terrible shock to his family….. big hugs to you both…
LikeLike
Thanks for this. Perfect reflection for this time of year.
So sorry we missed the dinner party. It looks like so much fun… and we could have just stumbled across the lawn from Soho to get home! However, we have been productive helping Ashley/Joe with painting etc., and that feels good too.
We were shocked to get a call to say that one of our best friends — a fellow we went to University with — dropped dead of a heart attack at home (in Kelowna) last Friday night. Just 3 weeks before, he and his wife Barbara had stayed with us for 3 nights. We enjoyed a fun dinner on the Friday night (exactly 3 weeks to the minute before he died) and then they were mostly busy with family events for the Grey Cup weekend. No indications that this was coming. It’s such a shock.
It sure does remind us that life is tentative… and that we have just these precious moments.
All the best to you and the family. Enjoy your time together. Love Sue
PS. Thanks again for your blog – it is such a treat to follow along with your lives on DI.
>
LikeLike
Thanks for reading SF, I really do feel honoured that you all take the time to follow… You two were missed at the dinner. Sorry about your friend…what a terrible shock to his family….. big hugs to you both…
LikeLike
Have a wonderful Christmas with your family. We are so fortunate and grateful to have you as our neighbors. Merry Christmas !
LikeLike
Have a wonderful Christmas with your family. We are so fortunate and grateful to have you as our neighbors. Merry Christmas !
LikeLike
What a beautiful post. Thank you.
LikeLike
Thank you. Wishing you the best….
LikeLike
What a beautiful post. Thank you.
LikeLike
Thank you. Wishing you the best….
LikeLike