As we have been doing for the past 15 years, my family thoroughly enjoyed exploring Vancouver Island this summer! Back-country hiking the Juan de Fuca Trail with my two daughters and our dear friends was a definite highlight, as was the quality time we shared with our nearly 18 year old daughter, Ayla. We first came to Vancouver Island when Ayla was only two years old and we fell so passionately in love that we returned every year since. Ayla will be graduating next year and, though she intends to steal away from her “adult” life to join us next year, she won’t be able to spend the 5-6 weeks with us again. Sharing her full presence this summer was a real blessing and is one that is not lost on me for a single moment. I am beyond grateful for the opportunity to spend so much time each summer in such a beautiful part of the world.

I’m also proud to say that I maintained my qigong practice over the summer, enjoying a 10-20 minute routine almost every morning!