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.
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.
— From all of us at the Wellings
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.
It’s not always easy.
We want to help.
We want to guide.
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.
Holding space.
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:
Sitting together in the afternoon sun.
Sharing stories from yesterday—or decades ago.
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.
It tiptoes in—soft sunlight on the kitchen counter, birdsong in the early hours, the first brave green shoots nudging through the soil.
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
As our parents age, we inevitably face challenging conversations about their future—topics like downsizing, health care, and lifestyle changes. These discussions can be emotional, but they are essential to ensuring our loved ones are comfortable, safe, and supported.
Aging affects us all. Canada’s population is aging rapidly, and in just five years, nearly a quarter of Canadians will be over the age of 65. Despite this reality, many of us struggle to talk about aging and its challenges.
CBC’s Matt Galloway recently aired an insightful segment on The Current about how to approach these tough conversations. He was joined by two experts: Dr. Samir Sinha, a Canadian geriatrician and health policy expert, and Laura Tamblyn Watts, author of Let’s Talk About Aging Parents: A Real-Life Guide to Solving Problems.
Dr. Sinha is the Director of Geriatrics at Sinai Health and the University Health Network in Toronto. He also serves as the Director of Health Policy Research at the National Institute on Aging and is a visiting fellow at the University of Oxford. As a leading advocate for improving healthcare systems to better support aging populations, he has been actively involved in shaping policies for senior care in Canada.
This discussion highlights the importance of planning ahead and ensuring families are prepared for the transitions that come with aging.
Life, at this stage, feels like a cherished book—one filled with stories of love, laughter, resilience, and wisdom.
Our members at the Wellings are at a place where they have witnessed the beauty of change, embraced the joy of connection, and discovered the strength within themselves. Through it all, words—spoken, remembered, or written—have carried us forward, offering comfort and inspiration.
Today I want to share a few poems that bring light, warmth, and a sense of possibility:
“Desiderata” by Max Ehrmann
Go placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others,
even to the dull and the ignorant; they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexatious to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain or bitter,
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself. Especially, do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment,
it is as perennial as the grass.
Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.
Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be.
And whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul.
With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
It is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.
“When You Are Old” by W.B. Yeats
When you are old and grey and full of sleep,
and nodding by the fire, take down this book,
and slowly read, and dream of the soft look
your eyes had once, and of their shadows deep;
How many loved your moments of glad grace,
and loved your beauty with love false or true,
But one man loved the pilgrim soul in you,
and loved the sorrows of your changing face;
And bending down beside the glowing bars,
murmur, a little sadly, how Love fled
and paced upon the mountains overhead
and hid his face amid a crowd of stars.
“Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night” by Dylan Thomas
Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
Though wise men at their end know dark is right,
Because their words had forked
Poetry has a way of capturing the heart of our experiences, reminding us of life’s wonder and the endless possibilities ahead.
Some verses feel like old friends, gently encouraging us to keep savoring every moment.
I want to wish you an inspired day ahead.
