Lori Dueck, Victoria, BC

I am fortunate to return home to my Victorian roots where I am the same girl at heart. Physically, I ran away for 26 years, not forever. The thought of never wanting to move back to Victoria haunted me until reality set in. However, I was suddenly brought home to where it all began. Coming home to find out who I was always meant to be is not for the faint of heart. Memories of my past mingling with new found adventures greeted me upon arrival.

I am grateful for reconnecting with friends from my past as well as meeting a multitude of new faces. I have been accepted into a couple of families as a sister joining in their household activities.

However, I have unanswered questions percolating in my mind. Upon buying myself a DNA kit from Ancestry.ca, I started digging far into my past. As a child I was told I had an Irish, English, Dutch and Russian background. I recently suspected some German with accuracy. However nothing could have prepared me for the surprise of the other four countries revealed; Scotland, Dai, China and Mainland Southeast Asia. I had called myself a Heinz 57 growing up. Now it seems accurate with nine places altogether! I have already had one person try to contact me on my mother’s side to say that they are my first cousin once removed.

I am looking forward to unlocking more mysteries. While searching on the ancestry website earlier this year, I found my dad’s old voting record address where we lived when I was four years old. Immediately I arranged plans with a friend to explore my new found information. Despite years of land development, my trailer was still standing. We also drove past my elementary school, Willway and recently Goldstream Park to see the salmon run, for spawning. As a result of my adventure I have received therapeutic healing.

Travelling in my old footsteps also reminds me of the many walks along the Lagoon, where as a youngster we took our dogs for a stroll. We had our hands full of Dairy Queen ice cream cones. Yes, our furry friends were spoiled with the sweet treats with the excuse of cooling down on a hot day!

Another favourite place to re-visit multiple times is Willow’s beach. I have spent hours staring out at the sparkling ocean with sail boats and Mount Baker within my view. I collect stones, especially heart shaped ones. As soon as I have a couple of rocks in my hands, I relax on a large piece of driftwood to journal or write a poem. This is a poem which resulted from that experience:

Simply satisfied
Nature’s beauty
Gentle winds
Ocean’s waves
Reaching deep within
Mount Baker standing proud
In the clear blue skies
Sunshine in its glory
Innocence intertwined with guilt
All is represented at Willow’s

As part of my transformation the peace and tranquility of nature has found its way into my living space. On this journey I have reconnected with art. The paintings on my walls are speaking to me. Many pieces of my artwork represent me; faces half covered, nature scenes and animals. How quickly I can lose track of time, drifting into the picture, memories or imagination relax my mind.
Since returning home, I have blossomed personally with creativity in several areas of my life. I have joined small groups, volunteered and attended workshops on zoom. This has opened up the door for mentoring opportunities in both directions. I am also learning to view the world in fresh perspective. I enjoy participating in life-long learning. I actively pursue opportunities to write, read, create and discuss within community.

Looking into the past, living in the present and hopeful for the future. At last I am home in Victoria.

Lori Dueck is a new ICN Board Member.