Sara’s View of Life with Sara Troy, on air from June 24th
Last weekend, my daughter, her husband, and my two beautiful grandsons whisked me away to the stunning coastal gems of Ucluelet and Tofino on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. After nearly 45 years of living in Canada, I can hardly believe it’s taken me this long to get there. The landscape was nothing short of stunning — a winding road through lakes and forests, nature embracing you at every twist and turn. We stayed in a charming Airbnb in Ucluelet with an exceptional view, which I’ll be sharing in my show post.
Everything about the trip was relaxing and heartwarming. The house was easy to manage with the kids, although the toddler kept us on our toes, climbing stairs and exploring everything. We visited several beaches, including Long Beach, where even an overcast sky couldn’t dampen the spirit of my four-year-old. He was everywhere — chasing waves, digging in the sand, living his best beach life. At one point, we nestled between two large driftwood trees, and he snuggled up on my chest and fell asleep. Those are the moments that melt your heart.
We dined out at some lovely restaurants. One favourite was a Japanese spot in Ucluelet that had a gated playground inside the restaurant, spotless and well-equipped, a dream for any parent or grandparent. But no adventure is without surprises. While the waitress brought drinks to the table, my grandson gave his high chair tray a good whack, sending water and juice all over me! I sat through lunch, soaked but smiling. That’s grandparent life.
While the others visited the aquarium, I went back for a much-needed nap. Waking up at 5 or 6 a.m. every morning and sharing a bed with a moaning, groaning, tossing little sleeper meant sleep was more of a suggestion than a reality. But I wouldn’t trade those snuggles for the world.
We also explored the lighthouse trails, where wind-sculpted trees twist and bend in ways that tell stories of survival and resilience. And then we wandered through an ancient forest filled with 800-year-old giants, tall, thick trees surrounded by younger saplings reaching upward. What I love about forests is how even a fallen tree gives life — mosses grow, creatures find shelter, and new growth emerges from what once was. Nothing is wasted. Storm watchers would adore Tofino in the winter, where these trees dance with the wind in nature’s raw rhythm.
Just a few weekends ago, we also visited Mount Washington and stayed at a friend’s condo. I explored Courtney and Cumberland — two more parts of the island I hadn’t seen. In one month, I’ve checked two places off my bucket list. It’s wonderful — but it’s also exhausting. I’m 70 now, living with fibromyalgia, and my energy doesn’t stretch as far as it once did. I chased my own kids once, swung them on my shoulders, and rolled in the sand. These days, getting down is a challenge because getting back up is the real trick. It can be frustrating — I want to do it all — but I’ve learned to live within my energetic means and simply enjoy what I can do.
Vancouver Island is a gem — serene, lush, and inviting. If you love green, you’ll love it here. There are trails, lakes, beaches, and quaint towns like Cumberland that have completely reinvented themselves. What once were sleepy places with nothing but a few pubs are now bustling communities filled with young families and creativity. It’s inspiring — a reminder that reinvention is always possible.
I see myself like one of those weathered trees — perhaps bent by life’s storms, but still standing strong, now providing shelter and wisdom to the young ones growing beside me. As I slow down, I notice more. I feel more deeply. I reflect on past oceans and waves I once danced through — from my childhood beach days in England to my young womanhood in South Africa. Big waves don’t scare me — I’ve seen them before. But now I appreciate them differently. I no longer chase the party. I chase connection, quiet dinners, heartfelt conversations.
This recent weekend reminded me of how precious these moments are. Watching my pregnant daughter walk along the shore, her dress flowing, hair dancing in the wind, holding her little one’s hand — it was like watching a living poem. My grandson and I chased waves, captured in a playful photo where a Kraken (thanks to my son-in-law’s photo edit!) seemed to be after us. The laughter, the snuggles, the tired arms holding little bodies — all etched into memory.
Babysitting the boys while their parents had a date night, watching them drift off to sleep in my arms — those are the treasures of grandparenthood. As a mother, many daily moments blurred in the hustle. But now, as a grandma, I savour them. I see them. I feel them more deeply.
Just like the forests and the beaches, life is a cycle. I’ve been the sapling, the growing tree, the mother nurturing young branches. Now I stand steady, offering shelter, love, and stories for the new trees rising beside me. We each have our time, our place, our rhythm. It’s not about what we can no longer do — it’s about embracing what we can, fully and joyfully.
So if you ever come to Vancouver Island, give yourself time. Two weeks at least. Wander through Victoria’s charm, see the murals of Chemainus, shop the Saturday market in Duncan, enjoy the lakes of Nanaimo, and drive the twisty, stunning road through Port Alberni to Ucluelet and Tofino.
Don’t rush. Be present. Let nature speak to you. Let the ocean wash away your worries, and the trees whisper reminders of your strength and your journey.
Until next time, dear friends — be well, and don’t forget to tune in to our shows at www.selfdiscoverywisdom.org. We’re on 16 audio platforms and 3 video channels, bringing you stories, voices, and soul food to nourish your spirit.
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