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Travels With My Sons in the Absolutely Stunning Okanagan Valley, British Columbia

By Jo-Anne Smith

Industry Observer

October 27, 2009 12:37 PM

When I was 5 years old, my little sister, Maureen, died. After she was gone I was immersed in my own and my parents emotional pain for many months.
One day, shortly after Maureen's passing, I proclaimed to my Mother that I was never ever going to have human babies and instead would give birth to only puppies or kittens. They seemed much hardier to me and I somehow felt we had a choice.

Time moved on and I eventually gave birth to three beautiful sons. They were adorable little guys and with their unique personalities and interests, there was never a waking moment when something memorable wasn't taking place. Iain, Rob and Dave

As small boys are apt to do, they grew up and moved far away. I missed them terribly as one by one they followed each other to Kelowna, a beautiful city in a stunning British Columbia mountain valley.

In September we flew to Victoria, BC and after spending an idyllic week exploring Vancouver Island, boarded the ferry and drove to the Okanagan Valley to spend a cherished week visiting with my sons David, Iain and Rob and David's girlfriend, Angie.

We had a wonderful time and when it came time to say goodbye, I steeled my heart and held back my tears.
While sharing in giant goodbye hugs, my heart overflowed with pride and love for each one and the very fine young men they had become.
It never ceases to amaze me how very fortunate I am that I was blessed with not just one, but three such caring, wonderful sons. They have all of the qualities I hoped they would have and then some.
Rob, Dave, myself and Iain at Lake Kalamalka, BC

Rob, Dave, myself and Iain at a lookout point near Kalamalka Lake.

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Cindy Jones

Integrity Real Estate Group - Woodbridge, VA

Pentagon, Fort Belvoir & Quantico Real Estate News

It is amazing how hard it is to let our "children" go even after they reach adulthood. You can be proud that you raised them to be successful indpendent men.

Oct 27, 2009 12:41 PM

Kat DeLong

Realty ONE Group Mountain Desert - Prescott, AZ

REALTOR

Jo: What a wonderful post! As you know, I, too, have three sons, and boy do I know how you felt as they each left home. I am now, sadly, estranged from one of my sons, and the pain is deep. I miss all the times we were all together laughing, joking, playing board games...

Your picture is awesome; four beautiful people!

Oct 27, 2009 01:04 PM

Sylvie Conde

Sutton Group-Associates Realty Inc., Brokerage - Toronto, ON

Broker, Toronto Real Estate

Jo, they certainly grew up, didn't they? You must be so proud. They look like great 'kids' ... and they live in an absolutely beautiful place.

I was looking at Alex this morning, getting ready for work, and I wonder where the time went so fast. Just yesterday (it seems), a little 4 year old boy and I started karate classes together ... and now he's almost 19.... and will hopefully not be moving to BC. :)

Oct 27, 2009 02:24 PM

Gary Woltal

Keller Williams Realty - Flower Mound, TX

Assoc. Broker Realtor SFR Dallas Ft. Worth

Jo, life is funny how it works out from how it starts. You are immensely blessed I can tell by your family!! Great tribute, and I loved the photos.

Oct 27, 2009 03:36 PM

Sybil Campbell

Fernandina Beach, FL

Referral Agent Amelia Island Florida

Jo you are so right. Sons are a blessing from God. I also have a daughter, my baby who has two older brothers and she has given me great joy many times and has been a blessing to me.

Oct 27, 2009 03:55 PM

Laura Cerrano

Feng Shui Manhattan Long Island - Locust Valley, NY

Certified Feng Shui Expert, Speaker & Researcher

Jo, I will always believe the hardest part is letting go....to be and do what we raised them for--to be free! Your sons are all beautiful and should be a great source of pride for you. They have learned well from the best 'teacher' they could have had.

Oct 27, 2009 04:36 PM

Sharon Lancaster

Sage Executive Group Real Estate - Kelowna, BC

SRES, Realty Executives Okanagan

Roots and Wings! I have just moved to Kelowna (3 days ago!!!) in order to be closer to my daughter who moved to BC 6 years ago, while I stayed selling Real Estate,and building my home and business in Winnipeg. Then just this summer, I found myself thinking... what if?? And now, here it is Day 3 in my new home!

Oct 27, 2009 06:06 PM

Jo-Anne Smith

Oakville, ON

Cindy,

You're right there...and time travels so quickly.

Kat,

I remember seeing a picture one time of you and your sons! I'm very saddened to hear about the estrangement between you and your son....I can't even imagine how painful that must be.

Sylvie,

It's wonderful that you and your son are so close and that you do so many things together....they do grow up so fast, don't they?

Gary,

It's a good thing that we can't see the future....we might spend all of our time trying to change it and totally miss the present. Then again, many of us do just that!

Sybil,

How wonderful for your daughter to have two older brothers to watch over her....it sounds like you have a lovely family.,

Carole,

Thank you kindly....as always. ((-;

Sharon,

How exciting for you! Will you be selling real estate in Kelowna now?

~Jo

Oct 28, 2009 01:26 AM

Kathy Clulow

Uxbridge, ON

Trusted For Experience - Respected For Results

Jo - what a wonderful tribute to your sons and the path they have chosen to walk (together) ... in today's world of dysfunctional families it is also a tribute to yourself.

Oct 28, 2009 03:57 AM

Jo-Anne Smith

Oakville, ON

Kathy,

Although they are far away from where I live, it gives me great peace and a sense of comfort to know that they are still so close and there for one-another, even after all of these years. When ever they would scuffle or argue as children I would tell them 'Don't fight with your brother, he'll be with you through the rest of your life just as I hope you'll always be there for him.' It seems to have somehow hit home....

thanks so much for your kind words....

((-;

Oct 28, 2009 04:49 AM

Missy Caulk

Missy Caulk TEAM - Ann Arbor, MI

Savvy Realtor - Ann Arbor Real Estate

Jo-Anne, what a beautiful touching story.

You do have handsome sons. You are blessed.

Oct 28, 2009 02:26 PM

Lynda Eisenmann

Preferred Home Brokers - Brea, CA

Broker Associate ,CRS,GRI,SRES, Brea,CA, Orange Co

Hey Jo,

Nice to see you agaiin in the Rain, you've been missed. OMG, I love those photos! I'd love to hear more about the "early" photos?

Oct 28, 2009 04:38 PM

Jo-Anne Smith

Oakville, ON

Thanks Missy!

We are both so fortunate and blessed to have the beautiful, kind children we have. ((-;

Oct 29, 2009 02:18 AM

Jo-Anne Smith

Oakville, ON

Hi Lynda, Thank you kindly and it's good to see you too! Also, thank you for your thoughtful note....it touched my heart and brought a smile to my face first thing this morning. ((-;

~Jo

Oct 29, 2009 02:19 AM

Trace Galle

Designs by Trace - Kelowna, BC

Hi Jo,

I am so happy that you made it out to see your sons! As I am sure they were too!! Saying goodbye is so so very hard especially when you live so far apart. I know I still tear up when I leave the kids and I see them every couple of months. How did you like Kelowna? Maybe a move??!! Did you make it up to Tofino while you were on the Island, now that is beautiful!

I am sorry to hear about the loss of your sister. Hope you are well and as busy as you want to be!!

Take care,

Trace

Nov 02, 2009 09:05 AM

Jo-Anne Smith

Oakville, ON

Hi Trace,

I loved Kelowna! It's such a beautiful area and of course, the best part about it is that my sons are there. We're pretty well settled in the Burlington-Oakville area though, so I don't think a move is on the horizon.

Yes, we did spend a few days in Tofino! We had a beautiful room overlooking Mackenzie Beach in the TisWis Resort (I think that's how you spell it). I absolutely LOVED Tofino and can't wait to go back.

Things are picking up in this area quite a bit with regards to real estate. Thanks for asking!

I hope you're doing well too and are keeping warm,

Nov 06, 2009 05:44 AM

Trace Galle

Designs by Trace - Kelowna, BC

Hello Jo,

I am so glad to hear you enjoyed Kelowna! I just love it there! I am sure it was much more beautiful because of your sons :) !! Yes, Tofino is such a beautiful place too. I haven't been there in many years! Would love to go back some day.

I am glad that things are going well Real Estate wise too.

I am doing well, this year has been the fastest year of my life. I am not kidding, we left for Phoenix/Palm Springs on the 14th of Feb. and time has not stopped flying by. It is like I get up Monday morning and am going to bed Friday night the week is just gone. They say time goes faster as you age well at this rate I will be scared to go to sleep I might miss a month or two!! I have been planning to blog about what I have been doing but haven't had the time to sit down and do it! One day soon!!

Take care Jo,

Trace

Nov 06, 2009 06:51 AM

Jo-Anne Smith

Oakville, ON

hi Trace,

It's sounds like you're having a wonderful year.....

I'd love to visit Tofino at least once a year. It's paradise....

((-;

Nov 28, 2009 03:13 AM