Missing Out

When you move far away from all your family and friends, it means that you likely won’t always make it home for the holidays.  You may even find yourself celebrating a holiday all by yourself, like I am this Thanksgiving weekend.


I’m happy that Chris had the opportunity to fly home to Manitoba, and my weekend is actually going well.  (If it wasn’t, I wouldn’t be blogging.)  But a few months ago, when Chris went to Manitoba for two weeks without me, I found myself wondering if it was possible for a person to actually die from loneliness.

Already we have missed two of my cousin’s weddings, all holidays in the past year, many birthdays, and a few funerals that we would have attended had we not moved away.  Just this weekend, Chris attended a party for our close friends who are going travelling for six months, and a party for his grandpa’s 100th‘ birthday.  He’s lucky that both events fell on a long weekend and he could take an extra couple days off work in order to go.  I’m disappointed to miss these celebrations and all the Thanksgiving turkey eating with family around a big table.


When I think about missing out on things, I also consider the little things.  For example, my nieces are growing up quickly and I’m not around for important milestones, like losing both front teeth or starting preschool.  Thanks to Face Time, I’m kept in the loop, but children connect through playing together much more than talking on the phone.

Going out for coffee with friends and aunts, chatting with neighbors on the street, all the friendly faces at the Legion, bumping into people I know everywhere I go… I miss these elements of being part of a community.


My desires for new experiences, natural beauty and adventure are always going to be at odds with my desire for community, connection, and belonging.

I believe I still am part of a community, just from a distance.  I am grateful for all my supportive friends and family and the opportunities I’ve had to take risks and try new things.

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone, and if you also experience the inner conflict I just described, I would love to hear your insights!

Author: Prairie Drifter

Chris & Teri are a Canadian couple who are embarking on a move from Morden, Manitoba to Victoria, B.C. Although Chris & Teri had a really good life in Manitoba, they were craving adventure, challenge, a milder climate, and a more active and urban lifestyle. So even though it meant giving up steady jobs and moving far away from dear friends and family, they are making the leap across the country to establish a new life together on Vancouver Island.

4 thoughts on “Missing Out”

  1. Teri that actually works both ways! We miss having both you and Chris at our table. It was awesome having Chris over, it would have been twice as awesome if you had been here too!! We miss you a lot.
    Happy Thanksgiving. We love you.

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  2. Oh Teri. I know EXACTLY what you mean. Morden is not an easy community to leave behind. We’ve been in Sask going on 7 years and most days I still miss “home”. I thought that kind of community spirit and friendliness existed everywhere. I was wrong. But because I experienced it and know what it feels like, I can carry it with me in my Soul and try to spread that feeling wherever I go. Like is a series of ups and downs and I’ve come to discover, it’s not the ups and downs that define us but rather the way we choose to perceive and handle and react to the ups and downs that define us. I love reading your blogs and we miss you guys and all of our friends from Morden on the daily. So thankful for places like Facebook that help stay connected. Happy Thanksgiving my friend! Cheers

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    1. Thanks for your comment, Sue! You do understand. I’m glad Morden still has such a special place in your heart and that we can stay in touch, even if it is mostly through social media! Happy Thanksgiving!

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