Just a thought… In the space between yes and no, there is a lifetime. It’s the difference between the path you walk and one you leave behind; it’s the gap between who you thought you could be and who you really are. [Jodi Picoult]

This is the journal I meant to share with you last week, in the afterglow of the first part of the Milano-Cortina games, as we gear up for the Paralympics later this week. But in the gentle, sleepy hours that followed the Canada Silver win, it seems, if not all hell, then a lot of it broke out in the immediate vicinity of our vacation home. I wrote about it HERE last Monday if you missed it. All is well now and, YES, we are coming back. Rob and I have booked one month in November and have every confidence in the people and the security of this area once again.

Now, I could write for days about media goddess Marilyn Denis, who’s announced, after 40 years of insanely early (and busy) days, she’s stepping into retirement this summer, and I likely will write more about her in the future. But for today I’m wishing her heartfelt congratulations, big hugs and hopes for a long and healthy “happily ever after” with her husband, her son and her sweet granddaughter.

I wanted to share with you the joys of saying “yes” as they’ve shown up in my life. A week ago I said, “No, gracias” to joining a big group of Canadians at a nearby bar at 7 am; I didn’t want to have to behave like a civil human being in public at that hour without copious amounts of coffee. I ended up watching in bed as Rob shared the game with me via video on his phone. But I did miss being with a new friend who I met through the most unusual connection. And all I had to do was say “si.”

About a month back, a woman I met years ago at a book signing for Mourning Has Broken: Love, Loss and Reclaiming Joy, and who corresponds occasionally, reached out and told me of a friend of hers who lives in the same town that I’m wintering in for three more weeks. Big gulp.

Liz Moore from Waterdown, Ontario let me know that Kelita Haverland, whose name you will know from her many record releases in Canada plus a book I’ll tell you about (and several more ways), was staying here and Liz suggested I reach out. I told Liz (with whom it turns out I have a long list of things in common) that my shyness wouldn’t let me do that, but what do you know? Kelita got in touch! She came over for coffee while my pal Lisa, whose ex-husband used to play in Kelita’s band, was here.

The connections with Kelita didn’t end there: she was related for a time by marriage to a slimy ex-boss of mine. The more we talked, the more we realized we had many more favourable mutual acquaintances. Since that first meeting, I’ve read Kelita’s book and visited her and husband Gord twice at their home just across a busy road and about a 15-minute walk from me. We watched the Canadian women win hockey silver.

Between periods, I had some cuddle time with their adorable dog Cooper…

…that is, when he wasn’t busy cheering on Team Canada!

It was Kelita who invited me to watch the big game a week ago yesterday at the nearby bar. Saying no, when I’d become accustomed to the great things that happen with her when I say yes, was not an easy call.

But in another glorious connection, Kelita put me in touch with a couple renting out their place near hers, and we’re considering staying there for the month of November later this year. And on we go. I’m so fortunate to have found this friend.

Add to that the fact that her husband Gord Lemon is also a renowned session and touring bass player as well as a hockey player (two things he and Rob have in common) and I think we’ve got the foundation for a great relationship that we hope will last for years.

It’s all because I said “yes” reluctantly at first, as I didn’t want to bother someone down here just because I’m lonely. And what a gift she’s been! It’s like in 2024 during our final winter in California when Rob and I joined new friends for their Christmas celebration. Just say “yes.”

Reading their autobiography is an unusual way to kick off a relationship, almost like doing a thorough investigation of someone you’re about to meet for a blind date.

In her book Reason to Sing, Kelita details a traumatic upbringing in Alberta, the immense personal losses she’s suffered, the challenges in trying to break in to Nashville music (she even had a showcase at the storied Bluebird Café) and the many trials that parenthood and marriage between two travelling musicians can present. Much of her book is written against the backdrop of the strength of her faith, and I admire that in her.

You can read more, order the book and follow her at kelita.com to learn more about this joyful force of nature. She’s beautiful inside and out, and continues to share her gifts at the microphone whenever she’s asked.

So thank you Liz for introducing us, and giving me the opportunity to meet you in person as well. Liz, too, has a heart of gold and has overcome challenges that might have taken you or me down. How lucky I am to be surrounded by such extraordinary women – and better yet, to call them my friends.

Have a gentle week and I’ll talk more with you this Thursday at gracefullyandfrankly.com and thank you for coming by.