These Things Made the Journey Feel Like Home

Photo Credit: John Thomas

“Every day is a journey, and the journey itself is home.” ~ Matsuo Basho

If you’ve been following my musings you’re well aware that I have a deep, unshakable faith in the Divine. This year my mantra is anything is possible and I have witnessed more than one miracle. When I look back at this past year, I’m in awe. I’ve been on ten trips in four countries over four months—and I’ve had the capacity to endure and forge through the many challenges that were a part of it. Today I’m sharing moments from each of my ten trips that highlight how the journey itself is home. I wonder, dear reader, what makes your journey feel like home?

Trip #1: August - October: Brazil

The first journey started mere weeks after I had radiation treatment for breast cancer. I was determined that nothing was going to stop me. It was the longest of the ten trips and the most gruelling in terms of travel fatigue, but it also hit the top of the joy scale and somehow the two balanced themselves. Five weeks in Brazil with my son, his partner, my grandson, and Mister strengthened all of those relationships. The twinkle in my son’s eye as he watched me holding his son, remembering me holding him. Laughter. Seated around the dinner table enjoying meals made with love. Bouncing baby on the exercise ball singing Baby Beluga. His first giggle. The scent of his skin. These things made the journey feel like home.

Trip #2: November: Toronto/Dundas

This was the shortest trip, but just as impactful as the longest because it was when I met my granddaughter, just weeks after her arrival into the world. I held her and beheld her. I cradled her in my arms. Rosy-pink cheeks, a smattering of dark hair. Pushing the stroller down the sidewalk, the ground covered in dead leaves sprinkled with snow. Supper simmering on the stove. Her first-ever bath. My daughter glowing as a mother. These things made the journey feel like home.

Trip #3: December: Victoria

Our trip to Victoria had been planned months before, to celebrate my mom’s 83rd birthday. It was a life-changing journey because that was when my eight-year estrangement from my oldest daughter came to an end. When she walked into the restaurant that first time, the sight of her took my breath away. Like a vision or a dream-fragment, only real. She looked exactly the same yet entirely different. I recognized her in every gesture—her posture, her gait, her cautious smile, the sound of her voice. These things made the journey feel like home.

Trip #4: January: Mexico

This was our first time visiting our brother Steve since his move to Mexico. We couldn’t have known that he would be passing from this world so soon, too soon. It was one of those decisions you never regret. It reminded us not to wait for hindsight to act on our intuition, because it’s true; we just never know how long we have with one another on this earth, in these bodies, as us. Steve was managing many challenges, but none of them kept him down. He was vibrant, so full of life. He took us to his favourite restaurants, his favourite beaches. He drove us on an adventure to Rincon, hands shaking on the wheel. These things made the journey feel like home.

Trip #5: February: Toronto/Dundas

This journey was about witnessing our granddaughter’s baptism. It was an opportunity for us to gather as a family, much larger now that our daughter is in a committed relationship. Her partner’s family is so loyal to one another, so larger than life. They’ve always lived in the same area and are much more connected on a daily basis than ours. Still, they welcomed us into the fold with open arms. We were united by our love for and devotion to a precious little baby girl. These things made the journey feel like home.

Trip #6: March: Victoria

This journey was all about healing after the recent reconciliation with my daughter. We’d made a commitment in December to one another, that at the very least we’d be able to be together for family events in harmony. I desire so much more, and I believe she does too, but this gesture was enough to build upon. We imagined a seed planted in the ground and the two of us tending to our garden with loving words and open hearts. We listened without a need to defend or fix or change anything. These things made the journey feel like home.

Trip #7: March – April: Costa Rica

This trip came to be because of my wanting and needing those early formative experiences with our grandchildren. Watching them growing and changing so fast, too fast, over FaceTime video calls just didn’t feel sufficient to strengthen family connections in the way my heart desired. So I reached out to our new little family’s in Brazil and Dundas with the idea of us all meeting in Costa Rica, sort of half-way, and miraculously, they all agreed! The sound of their voices surrounded by jungle and ocean had a magical quality. Sitting on the ratan loveseat, a baby on each side of me. Little feet on sand. Little hands splashing in the pool. A million little precious moments colliding together. These things made the journey feel like home.

Trip #8: May: Victoria

This trip was all about spending time with my mom after her stroke and fall. She’d been in hospital since April, but I’d been afraid to go because I wanted to be by Mister’s side when Steve passed and it seemed imminent. I never imagined he would hold until I got back. I never imagined my mom could look so frail. Holding her hand in mine. Bringing her savoury bacon quiche fresh from Origin’s bakery, sweet bites of chocolate, salty nuts, crisp grapes. Sharing stories of when I was young, when she was young. Talking about death and dying. Grieving what we’d lost. Rejoicing at what we still have. These things made the journey feel like home.

Trip #9: July: Victoria

This trip was another miracle. My mom’s vision, of our family reunion picnic, came to be. I give her full credit for manifesting the impossible through sheer will. I don’t remember when she first started talking about it, but I know that after the reconciliation in December she believed it could happen. When our family in Brazil promised to come, the notion of meeting her great-grandson gave mom the strength to endure the pain and suffering that before had felt unendurable. Having her wish come true was more than enough, but I was gifted something more, that I’d been praying for what seemed an eternity—being reunited my oldest grandson. Witnessing my crazy-beautiful family all gathered together by the ocean, eating sandwiches and salads, kicking soccer balls across the lush green grass, the sounds of laughter and baby coos and K.D. Lang crooning and tears trickling down cheeks. These things made the journey feel like home.

Trip #10: August: Victoria

This trip was all about being in service to my mom. Mister and I still hadn’t recovered from the intensity of the July trip. We hadn’t begun to process the enormity of what had transpired. But we went because her old apartment needed to be packed up and sorted, and as her daughter, I needed to be a part of that. As I rummaged through her things, trying to decide what to keep or give away, I felt buried-in and bulldozed by memories at every turn. Visits with Mom in her new home were bittersweet. I felt gratitude that she was out of hospital, and the hope that springs eternal in me, of her ability to recover and rebuild. I wished that I could bundle her up in my arms and whisk her away and bring her home with me. That I could provide the love and care she deserves, while knowing it is impossible. Being okay with what is, shining my light as strong as I can, loving her the best I can. These things made the journey feel like home.

COMING UP…

Books & Projects:

·      In December 2025 I signed a contract with Austin Macauley Publishers for my manuscript, The Trials of Alex Anderson, a character-driven novel that explores the relationship between mental illness and trauma.  I am now on the road to publication, with an expected release date near the end of 2026. In February I worked with designers on the cover and its near completion. Last week I received the proofread manuscript for my review. Things are happening! I’ll be posting regular updates here on  my blog and on social media, so stay tuned for exciting new developments.

·      The Rogue Scorpion is available online at Amazon, Chapters-Indigo, and Barnes & Noble. You can also find it at select Chapters-Indigo and El Hombre de la Mancha bookstores.

Reviews & Interviews:

·      You can read, listen, or watch a large selection of reviews and interviews on my website.

Events:

·      There are no events currently scheduled in my calendar.

YouTube Channel:

·      Watch The Rogue Scorpion trailer.