Happy Father’s Day to all the incredible men in our lives who are fathers, grandfathers, stepfathers, and father figures.
Today, we honour your strength, love, guidance, and quiet sacrifices.Â
Thank you for all you do — and for being someone we can always count on.
Wishing you a day filled with appreciation, love, and a little well-deserved relaxation.Â
— From all of us at the Wellings
There’s something magical about summer in Canada. The gentle breeze, the warmth of the sun, and the vibrant greens invite us outdoors—not just to stretch our legs, but to reconnect with nature and ourselves. For adults 60 plus, one of the most accessible and beneficial summer activities is the simple act of walking.
Walking offers low-impact cardiovascular benefits, helps maintain joint flexibility, and supports mental clarity. It also promotes social connection when done with a friend or walking group—something we know is key to healthy aging.
Where to go:
Pro tips:
Let this be the summer you fall in love with nature all over again.
Gardening is more than just planting flowers or veggies—it’s an act of self-care, a way to stay grounded, and a beautiful method of nurturing both your environment and your spirit.
The health benefits:
Gardening encourages gentle movement, builds hand strength, and improves flexibility. It’s also been shown to lower stress levels and reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression, particularly when tending to plants becomes a mindful, daily ritual.
No yard? No problem.
Balcony gardens and indoor container gardening offer similar benefits. A few pots and a sunny window can turn any space into a green haven.
Safety tips:
Gardening reminds us that growth is always possible, no matter the season of life.
It is true that wisdom comes with experience but so does resilience, courage, great stories and cautionary tales to tell. We tend to focus on what we’re losing as we age but in truth we will gain so much more when we appreciate aging as a privilege instead of a curse.
You’ll often read that getting older is like entering the winter of our lives, but I respectfully disagree. It’s more like summer really: we’ve navigated many of life’s challenges, we’ve rewired and reinvented ourselves to arrive at a place where we’re reflowering in the garden. In this season, we require less weeding although we may want more support for our stems and other parts. We’ve lived in our bodies for decades, so it stands to reason that it’s our time to receive whatever assistance we need. Strong people can be very proud but asking for and being willing to receive support is a great gift to give those who want to help.
“Senior citizens: the true treasures of our society, whose value only appreciates with time.” – Unknown
June is seniors’ month; it’s an opportunity to celebrate the people who make up the foundation of our families, our communities and our society. It’s a chance to recognize the contributions our elders continue to make, as they pave the way forward for all of us. In celebrating our seniors, we’re fostering deeper bonds in our circle, we’re helping to address the issue of loneliness and we’re inspiring young people to respect and appreciate the experiences their ancestors navigated to create the world we live in.
With the shift from intergenerational living to more urbanization, busy lifestyles and independent living, our connection with our elders can be weakened. Being helpful and supportive of our parents, our older friends and relations is a privilege, and it can be a very meaningful experience when we’re mindful of how important all parties are in this interdependent relationship. Let’s ensure that we’re mindful to meet our seniors where they are, being compassionate and respectful. Sometimes it’s us who need to slow down instead of insisting that they keep up. Our goal should be to lift others up when we’re together, so that when we leave, they know they’ve been seen, heard and appreciated. Don’t we all want to feel valued this way?
Here are a few tips to get the conversation going. Ask how their week is and listen to what they tell you, reminisce with them about the good old days, ask questions about the highlights and even the lowlights of their life. There’s so much value in the life lessons gained through lived experience and we can all benefit from slowing down and being a good listener.
“What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
Cherishing the hard-won qualities we possess as seniors, the ones that make our lives meaningful: our values, the compassion we feel for others and the courage we draw on to support us as we navigate, all help guide us through the labyrinth, that is life in the latter years. Our inner character matters most when we’re challenged; we can call upon the resilience we have stored away to help make life’s trials less daunting. We hear a lot from our Wellings members about how the feeling of being part of a community helps them feel cared for and gives them an opportunity to care for others. We see kindness in all forms blossoming in our communities and that’s certainly something we love to celebrate.
“One of the great things about getting older is that you don’t lose all the other ages you’ve been.” -Author, Madeleine L’Engle
Are there clothes in your closet that you keep for special occasions? Special dishware, crystal and silverware that you break out for holidays? Every day in this chapter of our life is a celebration, so bring out the good stuff, get dressed up if it makes you feel good. Savour the feeling that you’re well worth making a fuss over.
Important message: we are the sum of all the lessons we’ve learned in life rather than the sum of our experience.
I think it’s a fabulous gift when seniors live their lives fully, sharing their wisdom, life lessons and favourite memories. What do you think about a personal memoir? Your story has dips and twists, highs, lows and probably more than a few funny moments that your friends and family would enjoy hearing about. Don’t let the idea overwhelm you, just take some small action like choosing a few areas you’d like to focus on, using those subjects as prompts and begin. I might suggest focusing on one topic at a time and please don’t rush. This is supposed to be fun. It could be written down in a journal or done interview style with a friend or family member asking questions. How about recording a video to share with friends and family? However you choose to share your story, I know you’ll be happy you did.
How about organizing a luncheon, an afternoon tea or a cocktail hour to celebrate a senior, (it could be yourself). Highlight their achievements or allow them to share their favourite memories and the lessons they’ve learned along the way.
Try something unexpected. Take a dance class, sign up for a language class or book yourself a massage. Someone recently shared with me that she’s enrolled in a beginner ballet class at almost seventy years of age. Now that’s celebrating life.
Plan regular fun days with friends or family, so you always have something on the calendar to look forward to. It could be a lunch or coffee date, a movie, a visit to the gallery, a play or a spa day. Sharing these fun events with others makes it a special day for everyone.
Write an appreciation letter to yourself, acknowledging all that you’ve accomplished in your life. I like to use the analogy of standing on your mountain and looking back at how far you’ve come. You could also write a letter of appreciation for another senior, letting them know how much you admire who they are as a person. It doesn’t take much to turn someone’s day around with a few kind words.
I love the idea of a memory jar filled with messages collected from friends and family as a meaningful keepsake to treasure.
“Age is an attitude.” – Anonymous
It is true that how we perceive aging can impact our mindset and our daily life. Let’s maintain a vibrant outlook to help shape our experience and influence our friends, family and our community. Let’s keep celebration top of mind as we go through our day, looking for joy and new experiences to give us hope and to remind us of what Frank Sinatra said: “the best is yet to come.”
At some point in our lives, we all face transitions that ask for more than just logic—they ask for heart. And one of the biggest questions we hear from people in their late 60s or early 70s is this:
“How do I know when I’m ready to move into the Wellings?”
It’s a powerful question, because it’s not just about real estate. It’s about identity, freedom, and creating a better rhythm for this next chapter of life.
Many of our members tell us the same thing once they’ve settled in:
“I wish I’d done this sooner.”
Why?
Because they made the move while they still had the energy to enjoy the process. They packed on their terms. They said goodbye to their old home with a full heart—not one weighed down by stress or urgency. They stepped into their new lifestyle with excitement, not exhaustion.
Think of it this way: the best time to make a change is before you feel forced to. Not when you’ve been worn down by three months of planning, selling, sorting, and saying goodbye in a rush. Not when the house has become too much, and you’re bringing all that overwhelm with you.
It’s hard to start something new when you’re running on empty.
Your home may have been the center of your world for decades. A place of family dinners, holidays, laughter, and life. But sometimes—quietly, slowly—it shifts from being a source of comfort to a source of stress.
Is it harder to keep up with the maintenance?
Do you avoid certain stairs or rooms because they just feel like too much?
Are you spending more time managing your house than enjoying it?
These can be the subtle signs.
The whispers.
Sometimes there’s a fear: If I leave my home, am I giving up a part of who I am?
The truth is, moving into the Wellings isn’t about loss. It’s about choosing to live lighter, freer, and more connected.
You’re not downsizing your life. You’re expanding your possibilities.
At the Wellings, your days are your own. You can lock the door and go visit the grandkids for a week without worrying about the lawn. You can try something new—a fitness class, a dinner with new friends, a quiet moment by the fire—without having to plan around chores or house upkeep.
Here’s the most important thing: You want to walk into this next chapter with strength, not strain. With clarity, not chaos.
When you have the energy, the time, and the presence of mind to make the move well, it becomes something beautiful. You arrive open—not carrying the burden of burnout.
So if you’re asking the question, that’s already a sign. You’re listening to the small, wise voice that says:
Maybe now is the time to let go of what no longer fits, so I can embrace what comes next.
When you’re ready, we’re here.
And if you want to talk it through, we’ll sit with you—no pressure, just conversation.
Because your next chapter should feel like coming home.
And maybe, just maybe, that home is here.
There’s something magical that happens when we get our bodies in motion.
A walk around the block. A little stretch in the sunroom. Dancing while the kettle boils. Movement doesn’t have to be a marathon—it can be a moment.
And those moments add up.
They wake us up. They lift our spirits. They spark joy. They remind us we’re alive.
At Wellings, movement isn’t about exercise for the sake of it. It’s about celebrating what our bodies can do. It’s about keeping the joints oiled, the blood flowing, the smiles wide.
So whether it’s a stroll with a neighbor, a stretch before breakfast, or a little cha-cha in your kitchen—go ahead. Move a little. Laugh a little. Feel good in your own skin.
This is your time. And it’s time to get moving.Â
It’s not always easy.
We want to help.Â
We want to guide.Â
Sometimes, we want to set the record straight.
But as the years go by, we learn something deeper:
Not every moment needs to be corrected.
Not every detail needs to be clarified.
Sometimes, love means letting go of being right.
Letting someone finish their story—mistakes and all.
Letting a moment pass without jumping in.
Because the real win isn’t in being right.
It’s in keeping the peace.Â
Holding space.Â
Choosing connection.
So let them win.
You’ll both be better for it.
As children of aging parents, we often fill our calendars with things to do. Appointments, errands, weekend plans, home projects, and helpful check-ins—our hearts are in the right place, always moving, always doing.
But maybe what’s really needed … is the opposite.
Slowing down.
Not out of obligation, but out of love. Out of presence.
Sometimes the most meaningful moments aren’t found in the big gestures, but in the quiet ones:Â
Sitting together in the afternoon sun.Â
Sharing stories from yesterday—or decades ago.Â
Breathing in the same room, without needing to fill every silence.
These small still moments are where connection lives. Where love speaks the loudest.
So let’s make space—not just for what’s next, but for what’s now. Let’s sit. Let’s talk. Let’s be.
Because often, that’s all our parents really want is us.
If you’re a gardener, then you’re a special type of person. Gardeners have full faith in the potential of things they cannot see. They take a certain pride in their collaboration with Mother Nature from the tiniest win to the most glorious, showstopping outcome. They have patience, at least in the garden. LOL. They love getting their hands in the dirt and enjoy sharing the experience with other gardeners. Their conversations can seem entirely uninteresting to non-gardeners and they’re okay with it. They share plants, seeds, knowledge, and offer advice and wisdom learned from their gardens. Because it’s the most popular hobby for older adults, it’s easy to connect with people who share a love for this magical, somewhat mystical pursuit.
“To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow.” – Actor, Audrey Hepburn
I will confess that I started out in my early twenties as a naïve gardener. Living in the country, I planted a full vegetable garden that I thought I would take care of myself, until milkweed took over and I quickly lost interest. I obviously had no clue what I was doing. At the time, gardening was a great analogy for my life; I had a lot of weeds taking over there too. I’ve learned over the years that my interest in gardening is in taking care of plants that for the most part, take care of themselves. Our perennial garden suits this reluctant gardener perfectly.
“Take a look at the plants. They come together and thrive peacefully in the garden or park. They lean on each other without trying to outdo one another. They serve as a sign that we can see beyond our differences and embrace each other in love while allowing our uniqueness to add colour to our world.
If plants can live in harmony and show their beauty to the world, we as humans can do much more.”
– Author, Kemi Sogunie
Right around the first Monday after Christmas, I start counting Mondays until Spring. I learned this from a tv studio director I worked with who was an avid golfer. He counted Mondays until he could swing a golf club, and I count them because it gives me hope that the sleepy little treasures under the soil will start to rally again in the warmth of Springtime. I know plenty of gardeners and golfers who celebrate the countdown with me.
Dan Buettner, an American longevity researcher found that people who live in what are known as Blue Zones around the world tended to live longer. His research showed that there is a higher concentration of centenarians living in the areas of Okinawa Japan, Sardinia Italy, Nicoya Costa Rica, Loma Linda California, and Ikaria Greece. It turns out that gardening plays a key role in supporting both well-being and longevity in the Blue Zones. What we can learn from these “wise agers” is that daily physical activity, which includes gardening, encourages flexibility, endurance and strength without ever visiting the gym. Gardeners will often tell you that it’s their therapy because being present with the plants and the soil not only promotes mindfulness, but it also lowers stress and reduces anxiety. Tending a garden, feeds both passion, which gives us energy, and purpose, which gives our life meaning.
“When gardeners garden, it’s not just the plants that grow, but the gardeners themselves.” -Author, Ken Druse
When gardening is a shared experience, in a community garden for example, we develop social connection through our shared interest, which helps create a sense of belonging, something we need, especially as we get older. Getting our hands into the soil connects us with bacteria that can produce the happy hormone serotonin in the brain, enhancing our mood and helping us to feel more relaxed. We boost our immune system too by introducing different microorganisms into the body and getting our hands in the earth is good for our skin. I should mention that we can plant a container of herbs on our windowsill and call ourselves a gardener. This should be fun, and it doesn’t have to be fancy or overly ambitious. Whether we’re vegetable gardening for delicious results or growing flowers for joy snacks, any type of gardening yields the satisfaction of knowing that we’ve created something with our hands.
 “Life is a garden. It is an opportunity. You can grow weeds; you can grow roses. It all depends on you.” -Philosopher Rajneesh
Can we talk about weeds for a minute? They’re just wild plants, right? But because our flowers and vegetables are the main characters in the garden, we weed to give space to what we want to keep and discard what isn’t aligned with our goal, which is to produce beautiful flowers or vegetables. My pal Natalie mentioned that weeding is a great analogy for life, and I got giddy at the idea because it’s a powerful metaphor. Why would we hold on to relationships that aren’t aligned with our goals in life? Why don’t we weed out or edit out people and situations that drain rather than fuel us toward our goals?
Gardening is a brilliant endeavour with a lot to teach. You could say it’s a holistic approach to living, encompassing not only physical exercise but also relaxing our thinking mind, as we enjoy all the benefits of nature while connecting with others. It’s good for our self-esteem, our memory as well as our sense of purpose and community. It’s a powerful prescription for wellness with plenty of benefits and no negative side effects.
Whether it’s the roar of a stadium, the comfort of a favourite jersey, or the thrill of a good old-fashioned rivalry, there’s something undeniably Canadian about cheering for our teams—through the highs, the heartbreaks, and everything in between.
At Wellings, we recently asked our community on Facebook:
“Which Canadian sports team has your unwavering support?”
Let’s just say—you did not hold back. And we loved it.
From Leafs Nation to Blue Jays Forever…
Maple Leafs fans came out in full force (of course—win or lose, they’re in it for life).
Jays supporters brought the blue-and-white energy, reminding us it’s always “Go Jays Go.”
The Oilers, Flames, Sens, and Habs got plenty of love too—because when it comes to hockey, we all have that one team we grew up watching on Saturday nights.
Some folks even repped all the Toronto teams (Leafs, Raptors, Argos, and Jays—what a lineup).
Others kept it real and said, “Nope, not a sports person”—which we totally respect.
And then there were the wildcard picks…
The CFL got some cheers too—Elks, RedBlacks, and Roughriders fans proudly waving their team colours. One comment even gave curling the shout-out it deserves.
(We see you, strategy lovers.)
So… what’s your team?
We want to hear from you. Share your favourite team or a story about why you cheer for them. Was it a family tradition? A favourite player? A legendary comeback game?
Sports bring people together—whether we’re in the stands, on the couch, or chatting in the bistro at Wellings.
Let the friendly rivalries begin.
Reply to this email with your favourite team or story—we’d love to feature a few in our next update.
There’s something magical about spring, isn’t there?
It doesn’t announce itself loudly.Â
It tiptoes in—soft sunlight on the kitchen counter, birdsong in the early hours, the first brave green shoots nudging through the soil.Â
Slowly, quietly, the world begins to stir again.
At the Wellings, spring is more than just a change in the weather—it’s a reminder. A whisper from nature that no matter how long the winter, there is always the promise of renewal.
Renewal isn’t about going back. It’s about growing forward.
It’s about dusting off old dreams and planting new ones.
It’s about reconnecting—with ourselves, with each other, and with the simple joys of life.
Maybe that’s enjoying a fresh walk on the trail, swapping recipes in the common kitchen, starting a new hobby, or just breathing in that crisp, hopeful air.
Spring reminds us that every season in life has something to offer—and that we, too, can bloom in our own time, in our own way.
Here’s to fresh starts.
To longer days, lighter hearts, and brighter tomorrows.
Happy Spring, Wellings friends
—With warmth,
Your Wellings Family
