Visits these days are quieter than they used to be. No plays or museums or house parties. Instead we focus on the essentials: socially distant croissants and peaches in the park with friends, lunch by a waterfall and then a masked stroll through the boutiques of Morrison, a cozy night in with the kitties to FaceTime with Justin and watch the new Secret Garden movie (that was filmed at one of the gardens we visited in Wales two summers ago), a Sunday walk through the neighbourhood marsh and prairie dog field, and then brunch before the flight back home.

Through it all, we talk. Talk about everything and nothing, the future present and past. Talk until 1am, which feels tame compared to what we used to do but still later than we can handle without a nap the next day!

And in the process we learn and share, reminisce and connect, heal and give thanks for friendship and time together. At the end of the day that’s what matters.