On Reconnecting

Last month, I took my first extended vacation in over 15 years.

Not because I didn’t want to travel, but because I couldn’t. Chronic illness kept me close to home for a long time. Long flights, unpredictable schedules, and the energy it takes to be “on” just weren’t in the cards. But last year, I had major surgery that changed everything. And when I finally felt well enough to go somewhere, there was no question where I’d go first.

Scotland.

I was born there, and even though my family moved to Canada when I was two, it’s always felt like home. As a teenager I visited often, spending summers with my grandparents and extended family, soaking up our history, the humour, endless cups of tea and my Granny's baking.

Sadly, in the 15 years I've been unable to make the journey over, I have lost both of my grandparents and my youngest uncle on my dad’s side. So this trip wasn’t just about sightseeing. It was about reconnecting. About showing up for the people who are still here, and honouring the ones who aren’t.

In addition to fun tourist activities in Glasgow, I spent time in places that mean something to my family. In Dunure, I stood where my dad spent his earliest school years, in the village where his two brothers were born. Later, my husband and I took a 3-day tour through the Highlands, and to the Isle of Skye, which I've always wanted to see. We also shared quiet mornings at our homebase in my aunt and uncle’s home in a village called Eaglesham. We'd make our morning coffee and enjoy it in their garden, right beside a cow field, watching the herd go about its day and listening to birdsong.

I walked through places that remembered me, places that continue to hold a piece of my heart, even when I can’t be there.

I also made a stop in the Netherlands to visit one of my cousins who’s now settled there. It was my first time meeting his partner and their two incredible little girls.

They’re a lively, joyful pair, and unmistakably my cousin's children, not just in looks but in personality. I couldn’t help laughing at their antics, especially when they were being a bit naughty, because it reminded me so much of their dad when we were kids. Watching him parent with so much humour and heart, seeing flashes of our shared childhood in their giggles and expressions, was something else. It felt like time had looped back on itself in the best way.

What this trip reminded me is that connection doesn’t vanish. It waits. Sometimes patiently, sometimes stubbornly. And when you show up, it’s like no time has passed at all.

Let’s be real. 2025 has been a rollercoaster for almost everyone I know, and on so many levels. Emotionally, economically, globally. It’s easy to feel disconnected, overwhelmed, or just plain tired. But if anything, this trip reminded me that even small gestures of reconnection can make a big difference.

So I guess this blog is a way of reaching out. If we’ve worked together, crossed paths, or shared a moment that stuck, this is me saying: I remember. And I’d love to hear how you’re doing.

Whether you’re navigating change, building something new, or just trying to keep your head above water, I’m here. If you’re looking for a collaborator, a sounding board, or simply someone to listen, I’d be honoured to be part of your circle.

And if you’ve been meaning to reach out to someone, maybe this is your sign. Send the message. Make the call. Share the story. No need to overthink it! We’re all carrying something. And sometimes, the most generous thing we can do is let someone in.