(Post #49) Exit Stage Left....Enter Resilience

Now, in case you are curious as to my delay in writing, I wasn’t unaccounted for—just momentarily diverted by one of life’s unexpected twists.

First off, a big thank you to everyone who wondered if I made it back to Victoria from Asia. I did! And yes, I also managed to visit Asia... for what felt like a fleeting moment. If you caught the conclusion of my last entry (#48), I left you with a cliffhanger: Would my journey in Asia turn out to be romantic, adventurous, or comical?

Spoiler alert: I didn’t linger long enough to find out. Let’s just say: it was none of those. I assessed the situation, did some quick emotional calculations, and made the decisive choice to exit promptly. Did it come at a cost? Yes. Was it worth it to feel secure, balanced, and still like myself? Absolutely. No enticing details here—we’re not revisiting the drama, we are now crafting the next chapter.

So, where does a resilient traveler go when she returns to Victoria without a house or pet-sitting arrangement in place? Simple—you reach out to a friend.

Enter Deb. My couch-surfing saviour and longtime companion. Deb graciously offered her couch like the queen she is, and suddenly I had a soft place to land. We fell back into bestie mode immediately—coffee conversations, shared meals, and those profound discussions that only girlfriends can share. She held my hand, reminded me I wasn’t on my own, and helped me make sense of my journey and my daughter’s unfolding challenges. There’s a quiet strength in women who support each other when life takes a turn. Deb’s calming presence helped me keep it all together. It turns out that with a strong friend by your side, navigating life’s little messiness becomes a collaborative recipe for resilience.

Once I felt stable again, it was time to look ahead. February was beginning to take shape. One of my previous house-sitting hosts (Zara’s mom—you might recall her) generously offered me a place to stay, even though she wasn’t going anywhere. She said, “Stay here. You're home.” And like any considerate guest, I contributed—looking after little Zara and her home while she worked long hours. I even encouraged the occasional late-night outing, guilt-free.

Then came another triumph: back online at Housesitters Canada, I quickly found a house/pet-sitting opportunity in Richmond for late February through to March. As if that wasn’t enough, a repeat host learned of my early return and jumped at the chance to escape herself—just so I’d have a place to land after the Richmond' sit. I mean, is that love or what?

So no, Asia didn’t unfold as I had envisioned. What I hadn’t anticipated from this sudden shift in plans was the wave of kindness, support, and genuine love that followed. I may not have discovered romance abroad, but I returned to something even more profound—belonging.

To everyone who waited patiently for my stories to continue—thank you. I’m back. And I’ve got tales to share.

 A Well Deserved Gin and Tonic Never Hurts Anyone.