DEEP THOUGHTS

I often wonder why I had the courage to pack up and move to Japan. I am still wondering…

But I know that I had the strength to do it because of the people in my life.

My mum was a fierce defender of what was right - she would go toe to toe with anyone she felt was not doing right by her family. Those of you who have met “speed skating nana” might be surprised to know that about her. I hadn’t thought about that strength much in recent years. I think we start to marginalize people as they get older; to think their voice is not important.

Both my parents were supportive and pushed us to do well at the same time. They were loving but they also always expected us to do our best. And of course, my grandma knew I wanted to travel and always encouraged me to do so. When you have a sense of security and support, no matter how shy or unsure you are as a young person, that exists somewhere inside you and the confidence it inspires comes out eventually.

And of course, I married Mark. Although we are opposites in so many ways, we are the same in all the ways that count. He is also adventurous although much slower to come to the decision to “GO “than I am! I may plant the seed but, in the end, he is just as inspired as I. Hence the trips to China and London with our bands. Sometimes I can’t believe we took groups from Rocky Mountain House to these far away destinations. It is an extraordinary amount of work to travel with students but for me, the most rewarding moments of my career.

Travelling is by far the best educational experience you can provide young people, in my opinion. I am not speaking of Disneyland and free time and shopping. I am speaking of learning about how others live and what their lives are like. How enlightening to learn these things at such a young age. I am happy to have learned these lessons at all, even as an adult.