Huron-Perth Boomers - Spring 2023

OPINION
by Lauralee Giliberti
and I’m most grounded with a balance of alone and
together time. I’m not sure I knew any of that at 22!
On the flip side of that, “till death do you part” is a
much shorter journey than in your 20s and that’s a
bit sobering. When you get married in your 60s, old
age is staring you in the face. It brings a whole new
meaning to the “in sickness and in health” part!
There is a story in the stark reality of being there for
someone in sickness and health, but that’s not this
story either.
The middle of the middle
Armed with the clearer sense of our own personal
identity and knowing what we want and how we
want to live, my husband and I are excited about the
next 25 or 30 years (God willing, inshallah, sickness/
death notwithstanding). We discuss so many options
about our potential lifestyle our minds are constantly
whirring, and friends and family roll their eyes at our
“plan du jour” (we really do need to stop sharing).
We understand their skepticism in their belief.
Considering our options, I have discovered that
many Canadians are leaving the country to become
expats in cheaper countries with better climates.
A simple Google search opens a whole realm of
possible countries within which to settle – Panama,
Portugal, Spain and Central America are the current
hotspots where one can live for a fraction of the
cost. Canadians are migrating to these places where
home ownership is possible at a much reduced price,
the medical system is more accessible, and the dollar
at the grocery store goes a very long way.
There is a window of opportunity here – should we
grab it before it’s gone? Maybe, but still, being around
for our kids and families is important to us. Summer
and fall in Canada are beautiful, and we don’t want
to miss those seasons. We don’t think the true expat
life will work for us, but maybe some time here, and
some time there will work, with the “there” still to be
determined. Also to consider is how the “here” will
look. Will it be a practical ‘lock up and go’ condo?
The sailboat? AirBnb? A cottage or apartment?
In addition, there are our bucket list items that need
to be ticked off: the Camino Trail for me and perhaps
my sister, volunteering in India, visiting Polynesia,
more train journeys, spending more time in the
UK, where my soul is happy. We are OK with not
knowing and we remain open to possibility. There’s a
freedom in that. For now, there are responsibilities to
manage and aging mothers to be around for. There
are commitments to fulfill that are equal parts desire
and duty.
We have realized that chunking life down into
segments seems easier, so now we try to balance
living in the new, while browsing ideas for the next
five-year adventure.”
Beginning, middle and not yet end
Admitting I was lonely was a tough call, and despite
the frustration and humiliation of online dating, it
was worth it in the end. Just barely.
Likewise, the challenge of merging two lives, both
together and apart, and the ambivalence of the
unknown, is also worth it, and I have faith that “all
things work together for good.” So, as Dory advised
Nemo, we “just keep swimming.” This is an exciting
and scary time, and I have learned that all the
important moments in life are scary.
So, we choose to clasp our hands and walk this
wandering road together, my husband and I, and as
Robert Frost said, “That makes all the difference.”
Where will your road, take you?
LauraLee Giliberti is not a rock star, and can be reached for
comment at lauraleegiliberti@gmail.com.
26 • HURONPERTHBOOMERS.COM