The Gift of Connection

Lately, I have been reflecting on the importance of human connection and relationships.

Last week, my cousin Sandra, who lives in Calgary, came for a visit. It was so wonderful to see her. I appreciate how Sandra always makes an effort to stay connected.

Our moms are sisters. They come from a family of 15 children, and grew up on a farm in Prince Edward Island.

While she was visiting, my sister Deb, Sandra, and I spent time reminiscing about our favourite summer vacations at our grandparents' farm in Prince Edward Island.

We talked about how Grandma would give us buckets, and we would wander along the red-soil country roads picking wild blueberries. I think we probably ate as many berries as we put in our buckets. When we returned home, Grandma would bake these delicious blueberry pies for us. My mouth waters just thinking about it.

There were always people coming and going—relatives, neighbours, and friends were all welcome. Inevitably, a gathering would turn into a big party. We would sing songs, people would tap dance on a piece of wood they laid out, others would play the spoons, the fiddle, or the guitar. It was so much fun.

As we shared these memories, I could feel the same excitement rise in my body that I felt as a child.

It was such a gift to revisit those moments.

Sandra shared how, a few years ago, she drove by our grandparents' house and decided to knock on the door. She told the owner that it had once belonged to her grandparents and that her summer visits meant so much to her. The owner kindly invited her inside to walk through the farmhouse.

My sisters and I paid a visit to the farmhouse several years ago, too.

We all laughed because we couldn't believe how small the kitchen was. Our grandmother fed fifteen children, foster children, family members, and friends from that tiny kitchen every day. And whenever we visited, there was always a kitchen party.

Meaningful relationships and connections are so important. We are wired for connection. Yet in this vast world, filled with busy cities and endless distractions, there are so many people who feel alone.

I remember watching a documentary called Happy. If you haven't seen it, it is worth watching. The filmmakers travelled all over the world exploring what makes people happy.

What struck me most was that the happiest people were not the ones with the most money, the biggest houses, or the fanciest cars. They had something else.

They had each other.

When they spoke, there was a light in their eyes—a spark. They were rich in ways that money could never provide.

This past weekend, I attended a sunrise ceremony led by Indigenous Elder Mary Lou Smoke to honour the Summer Solstice. A large circle of people gathered at 5:30 in the morning. I only knew a handful of people, and yet I felt such a deep sense of connection.

As we went around the circle, each person was invited to share what they would like to pray for. My prayer was that more people would experience sacred circles like the one we were sitting in—safe spaces where people can come together, be seen, feel supported, and know they belong.

Today, we are more disconnected than ever - from ourselves and from others.

My hope is that many of us are feeling a longing to return to a simpler way of being and to gather together as our ancestors once did.

Wherever you find yourself right now—whether you feel deeply supported by the people in your life, connected to a community, or perhaps feeling alone — I send you my love.

If you are feeling alone, my heart goes out to you. And if it feels right, perhaps take a small step toward connection, even if it is simply reaching out to one person. We are wired for connection, and you deserve to feel a sense of belonging.

And if you have people and places in your life where you feel connected, may you cherish them. They are a gift to treasure.

May we continue to create spaces where we can gather as equals, share from our hearts, and feel a sense of meaning and connection.

With love,

Diane