Growing up in Canada, with my entire extended family in the UK and on the Continent, we developed a different kind of family dynamic to most. Visits were spaced out, often on an annual basis, somewhat “formal” trips in that we had families to see and a limited time to do so. Still, it was always lovely.

I have fond memories of visiting with my maternal grandparents – the smell of baking chocolate cupcakes with Grandma, of hearing the electric milk truck stopping in front of the house and dropping our clinking milk bottles on the porch. Sometimes we stayed with my Uncle John and Aunt Isobel and those memories are of playing with my cousin Paul, going to the swimming center or driving to neighboring towns. Steven and Jill, Jacky and Terry, Maureen and Jim, Debra, Bobby and pat – many, many adventures!

On my Dad’s side, visiting Granny and Grandpa was also fun. Staying with Peter and Margaret and seeing John and Sally, visiting Tony and Anna and going on long walks along the bluff. Tony and Anna, Theo and Alex once came to visit us in Nova Scotia!

My grand parents are gone now. My Aunt Bobby passed away and my cousin Paul died in an heroic act saving his daughters in a terrible boating accident. Now, my sister and I are in the UK because my Uncle Tony recently passed away. Living so far away, I haven’t been to many funerals in my life but I am so happy to be here in Ashbourne to honor and celebrate Tony’s life and represent our parents who are unable to travel.

This trip has been one of reunions. Seeing members of both sides of the family who I haven’t seen in a decade or more has been invigorating and grounding. It’s allowed me to reclaim a long lost perspective on family.