Convening on the shores of Georgian Bay, various members of my family met to commemorate my sister Natasha, who departed last year. We celebrated in a way that honoured her by acknowledging a place that has been important to our family for close to 60 years.

Many people have had these special places … a park, beach, trail, river, cottage or campground … someplace we enjoyed going to as children and now perhaps we continue to visit these spots with our next generation(s).

Revisiting one of these special places is like a walk down memory lane and often many good stories emerge from the recesses of our mind. Hiking on the shoreline and sitting around the campfire my sisters and I laughed as we recounted some old antics from our youth.

And while people play a part in these memories, I often wonder how natural landscapes deepen the experience, adding layers of another type of connection. Not only do we feel comfort with the familiar, instinctively we return to places that bring us back to life, help us feel safe, and keep us grounded.

Aside from civilization and natural disasters, landscapes change a lot less than we do. A scenic vista stays pretty much the same … sometimes so do our feelings when we revisit them.

It felt good when we all returned to a place on Georgian Bay that continues to have great meaning for our family. It deepened my sister’s celebration of life … and I would like to believe, she would have wanted it that way.

We miss you Tasha …