Starting Our Next Chapter in Nova Scotia
Updated: Aug. 02, 2022
And just like that, this southwestern Ontario couple found themselves empty-nesters. What better time to plant new roots in one of the most beautiful places in Canada?
Last spring, it dawned on my husband, Bill, and me that we were about to begin a new phase of our lives. Not only was our youngest daughter Kelly off to the University of Ottawa in September, our son, Joel, was getting married at Thanksgiving. Our oldest daughter Katelyn had recently bought a house and was beginning her apprenticeship to become an industrial electrician and our daughter Kimmy would be entering her third year at Queens University to become a teacher. We were about to become empty-nesters!
Now was our chance to focus just on us. So with the blessing of the children, we devised a plan to sell our house in Paris, Ontario, quit our jobs and buy seven acres on the Atlantic coast in one of the most beautiful places in Canada. So, the day after our son married our amazing daughter-in-law, Shailyn, at her family-owned campground on beautiful Singleton Lake north of Kingston, we were off to Sheet Harbour Passage on the Eastern Shore of Nova Scotia.
I won’t mention the tears, hurdles and many answered prayers that got us to this point, but our new journey has exceeded our expectations. We have so much to be thankful for here—the most wonderful neighbours imaginable, (thank you Ronnie and Elva and Karen and Randall for welcoming us); the fellowship of the local Baptist church; the help we received from Gammon’s hardware store, Wilson’s gas bar and the ladies at the post office; and many others who made us feel at home. Let’s not forget the stunning beauty of the Eastern Shore with the eagles, deer and opportunity to fish off the rocks for mackerel and trout.
Now the work begins to stay “mostly retired” as we set up rental accommodations with the help of my cousin Tim, owner of Nova Tiny Homes.
Don’t worry, Bill and I will still find time to kayak out to the surrounding islands and have our new friends over for game nights, campfires and to enjoy a craft beer or two brewed locally at Sober Island Brewing company.
This country has been through so much the last couple of years and if anyone needs to find some solace, we can’t think of a more perfect spot than among the proud people of Sheet Harbour Passage, Nova Scotia.
Check out more stunning pictures of Nova Scotia that may convince you to pack your bags.
