From Far & Wide

Where did it all begin? There is no single starting point, more like a convergence of different events and experiences that led me to this place. 

During the Covid 19 shutdowns, I started a massage blog to reach out to my clients and help them to help themselves, when they were unable to get treatment. I discovered a love for writing that I never knew I had. I tried to write a few posts after returning to work, but since I was spending all day with my clients, the inspiration for it was gone. It's a super useful blog though, with a lot of information about common conditions and injuries, you should check it out! https://chinookmassagetherapy.blogspot.com

Also between 2020 and 2022, some really major changes happened in my life. I'm not going to go into a ton of detail, but they are significant catalysts. I grew up on a mixed grain and cattle farm in Southern Alberta. It had been in my family for over 100 years when my parents sold the farm and moved to town.

Soon after, my father passed away. At the same time, my husband, at 43 years old, was diagnosed with terminal cancer. I took care of him, at home, for a year before he passed. In the words of Forest Gump, "That's all I have to say about that". During these years of  upheaval, my two sons graduated high school and became adults. All of a sudden, I have an empty nest.

In my career, my family and my community I have seen too many people living for "some day". Some day I will have the job I want. Some day I will have my dream house. Some day I will travel. The list goes on. I am a planner, and a list maker. I don't tend to be spontaneous and I tend to be frugal. It's not unusual for me to think about a decision for so long, that I never make a decision.

Wish List #1 Dream Job

At 36, when my kids were all in school full time, I went back to school to become a massage therapist. I work in a small town spa, working with people I love, doing what I love. ✔✔✔

Wish List #2 Dream House

Years ago, we decided that the whole idea of a "bigger and better" house didn't make sense. Financially it would set us backwards and in a blink of an eye the boys would be grown and more space would be unnecessary. We decided to embrace a "bloom where you are planted" philosophy. Instead of wanting more, we invested into the home we have. It's not much more than 1000sqft, but we make the most of our space. Re-designing and adapting as needed. Once we decided it's our "forever home", we stop worrying about resale value and renovate to suit ourselves. It's also helpful to remember that it's a home, not a house. It will continue to evolve as our needs change. The playroom made way for Dungeons and Dragons; an office became a Granny Room; a massage room became a craft room; a garage became a den. I would rather have a sanctuary and a hangout spot for my kid and their friends than a show home. ✔✔✔

Wish List #3 Travel

I love road trips. Some of my favorite memories are from road trips - my Dad and I sneaking out early to go for a walk in some small town in BC when we went to Expo, while Mom and my brother slept; picking wild blueberries when we went spelunking on Vancouver Island; finding cute cafes and gift shops. I love the scenery, the wildlife, the people and the places. I love paper maps, tacky tourist traps, postcards and fridge magnets. I love history, architecture, arts, and culture.

Most of my vacation time has been spent visiting family, because we moved away, and that was important to us. These road trips could be up to 12 or 20 hours long. As we crisscrossed Alberta and BC, we would see enticing signs that made you want to explore the side roads. However, time and destination had little flexibility. I have always wanted to do a road trip that had no agenda, no expectations. I want to know, are the "Points of Interest" actually interesting? I always wanted to travel across Canada, and planned to do it when I retired. I felt the best way to do it was with something like a camper van. Smaller, more fuel efficient simpler set up than other RVs. So I started researching and talking to people about my dream.

The other week, one of my favorite clients asked me, "So when do you plan on doing this? When are you going to retire?" I realized that I didn't have an answer. I don't have any idea when I plan to retire. I love my job and I can't imagine it being part of my life. At that moment, my thinking began to evolve. 

There is no rule that I have to travel across Canada in a single trip. It's an enormous country. I have seen too many people wait to travel when they retire; only to have health issues or become a caretaker for a family member or be helping with grandchildren. By doing Canada in sections, I don't have to be away from work for as long and I don't have to save up as much money before I go. In other words, I can start my adventure now! 

In actual fact, I have already started my adventure. That's where the troll came from.