People, not things: Your highlights of the year

Life is full of challenges. But also: surprise and wonder and new connections.

Recently, we asked our readers to write a sentence or two about a moment from the past year that brought them joy.

The results were inspiring. They included travel adventures, precious family moments, and personal accomplishments. Nobody wrote to us about buying a new object or toy. Instead, the most common highlight was the discovery (or rediscovery) of a new friendships and relationships.

Kathy wrote about a friend’s support in helping her ‘kick the crap out of cancer.’ Neill, Bobbie, Constance, and Byron all wrote about moments with their grandchildren (or great-grandchildren.) And some of you found new people to love.

New and old relationships, fun places, and ‘kicking the crap out of cancer’

Becky Brisson:

In 2022 I was able to meet my birth sister in Sacramento, California. We met during Covid online through ancestry DNA and it was fabulous! We talk usually every other day !

Ian McAlpine:

Among the highlights were retiring (gave notice in April 01) and visiting friends I haven’t seen in person for 30 years!

Terry Hildebrant:

Horseback riding in Whistler with my daughter and granddaughter

Peter Pappas:

Walking Me and my Dog along the Fraser river in the Fraser valley!!

Kathy Reeves:

2022 is my year to kick the crap out of cancer. I’ve recently lost my long wavy grey hair to chemotherapy and last Sunday my walking partner and friend Patt showed up with a buzzed head. Solidarity and friendship at its finest Love that woman.

Neill Smith:

My youngest daughter and her four kids (6 to 13 years old) visited us for three weeks during July.

Pat Buchanan:

I discovered volunteering after Covid and its restrictions. I was asked about doing some volunteer work for a local project. It is as much a gift to me as it is to those who benefit from my time.

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Dave Stephen:

Reaching Cape Spear in Newfoundland on a beauty of a day in July, as far east as we could go on our cross-Canada road trip this spring and summer, and turning our car westward for the long road adventure home.

Constance Gosling:

O joy ~ I was able to travel to Ontario and meet, for the first time ever, my two-year-old and five-week-old great grandchildren! Being Gee Gee rocks

Byron Jordan:

This summer, after a 2 year wait and a nail biting wait for passports, we took our 2 Canadian granddaughters to Edinburgh to visit their cousins who are close in age.

From a Harry Potter walk, to hiking up Arthur’s Seat, to checking out the best places for chocolate….there was laughter, camaraderie and much joy.

Joan:

I met my pen pal from Seattle for the first time last October. It was a beautiful sunny day, so we drove to Manning Park and hiked 9 kilometers around Lightening Lakes.

Frostie Hughes:

I now have a really great man in my life and things are only getting better

Kathy Leger:

This year I got to witness my son marry his beautiful bride in a gorgeous outdoor setting on a gorgeously sunny day in Harrison Mills at Sandpiper golf course.

Crystal Thai:

I was able to enjoy my daughter, her cousins, and a friend getting incredibly muddy playing on the banks of the Fraser River while camping at the Edgewater Bay Campground over the Thanksgiving weekend. The simple joy of being able to get covered in mud and just play.

Thomas Lloyd:

A positive moment: I reunited with my Childhood sweetheart (we were 13 & 16) four years ago . We were married on January 21 of last year and I began the last chapters of my only unfinished love story . I am now 67 and she is 64.

Bobbie Smith:

Last year I bought an old motorhome to be able to spend some safe camping time with my family. Life leads people in every direction ; but this year because of my motorhome I had the best camping trip ever up at sunshine Valley! The first time in seven years all my kids and grandkids were together. And we made a purely bacon cake for my oldest son’s birthday. PS- don’t you just love Hope!

Jason Furgula:

After completing a Ten Trail Challenge through Chills and Thrills this fall we discovered many knew places to explore.

Joanne MacLennan:

Yesterday I had a very pleasant surprise. I was at the Tim’s drive through ordering my usual large tripple tripple amd when I got to the window to pay I was told the person in the vehicle ahead of me had already paid for it. It brightened my whole day. There was no one behind me or I would have passed the gesture along. Maybe today.