We decided to go out for fish and chips today. My parents had a favorite place in town and the kids and I had tried it before. Today however, they were closed- holiday Monday and all. We didn’t know what to do- we had no food back at the hotel and by this time we were really craving fish and chips.

We ended up at the restaurant on the wharf. They were full and there was a wait, but the waitress offered us a spot on the patio. It was a bit chilly, it had been raining, but she said it was enclosed and heated so we decided to try it.

Turned out it was the best decision we could have made. We were out there when only one other lady, we had a fantastic view, and we had an absolutely delicious meal.

The lady struck up a conversation with us. It seems often people sit down and tell us their life stories and today was no different. But she also asked the kids about their dreams for the future and then really encouraged them when they shared. She explained some of her life philosophies about living with passion. We talked about horses, travel, food, and how much we all loved Sidney.

When we left, both kids said how she had said things every really needed to hear and what a weirdly unexpected gift our lunch companion was.

It’s important to stop and talk – and listen- to people. We are all connected.

I love Easter- it’s a reminder that we are always forgiven, it’s never too late to change, and there is always hope. It’s joy and love. It’s family and friends. It’s God’s love shining on us.

We went to church at the cathedral this morning, the same place where my parents used to take us for Easter service when we were kids.

I was sitting in our pew when I looked at the couple ahead of us. They looked so familiar and after sending a picture and text to my sister, and doing some stalking through the pamphlet (she was a reader) I realized they were people I knew from childhood. Specifically the minister and his wife from our church in Calgary. The current dean of the church was also a minister at our Calgary church. I didn’t see him this year, but often our past bishop is also at this service.

All I could think is wherever we go, there we are. No wonder this place feels like a second home to me.

We met my friend after and had tea and wandered Victoria for a while. These types of friendships are important- they must be cherished.

There is always time for love, it will always overpower fear, we must choose hope and peace.

We went to the Buchart Gardens today to get out full of flowers and fun. Because we are introverts we managed to find some beautiful hidden spots where we could watch the crowds and the flowers and still enjoy our own space.

It’s one of my favorite places to be. And that was what we did, we got to just sit there in the moment and be.

My good friend came by tonight and we began our annual visit. I treasure that friendship and always look forward to when we get to spend time together. It’s a friendship that has stood the test of time.

It was a walking the beach day today, the rain finally stopped and we were able to get outside and enjoy things a bit more.

I have told the girl many times how my sister and I would go to the beach near our place when we were kids and look for sand dollars. Today I was finally able to take her there and look at not only the sand dollars but all the other sea creatures that were hanging out in low tide – starfish, oysters, clams, crabs…. She became a little kid again as she was running around checking things out. We all did actually.

Then we went to a different beach and log walked – another long-standing family tradition.

It’s interesting coming here with the kids- we are very much in the moment and creating new memories, but I’m also reliving so many of my own happy childhood memories from here. It reminds me how my parents gave us so much of their hearts – I am doing my best to pass that gift onto my kids.

The first thing we did after breakfast this morning was to head to Murchies for our tea stash. I find it hilarious that the kids get as excited about tea as I do, I learned from my parents, and anyone who knows grandma knows she was all about tea

Because I’m me, I had to push the button on the old lady tea party and we watched them “visit” and “drink tea”. It was quite amusing.

It’s so nice to see flowers and the ocean. I always feel like a part of my soul lives here.

My flower girl