FAMILY
I REMEMBER THE EXACT MOMENT when I decided that I would never go back to my family's cottage ever again. It was August 2000. I was 16 and sick of our annual trips from Toronto to the dusty, drafty old place in Quebec's Laurentian Mountains.
My grandfather was also getting to me. In my mind, he ran the place like a boot camp, setting out a strict daily regimen for me, my brother and our cousins. Between 6:00 and 7:00 a.m., we had to be out of bed and in the frigid lake for our pre-breakfast swims. Then, after choking back flavourless bowls of porridge, we played tennis, swam some more and did chores.
In the afternoons, as the adults had tea or cocktails, we were expected to sit silently and listen to their tedious chit-chat. We didn't have cable TV. We had to be in bed by 10:00 p.m. That might not sound rough, but to my 16-year-old self, it was torture.
Right before going up that year, I had seen a documentary about ritzy Palm Beach, Florida. It confirmed my suspicions that there were better places to spend a vacation. I was so dazzled that, one morning, post polar bear dip, I cheekily announced to my grandfather that someday soon I would visit Palm Beach (with what money, I can't say). I wanted to know how it felt to swim in warm water. I didn't mean it as a direct, outright rejection of the cottage, but he took it as such. He scolded me for being rude. I'd betrayed a deep and offensive ingratitude for the beauty all around me.
I took his words as a challenge. Instead of coming back to the cottage, I promised myself I would explore the world, be my own person. The next summer was the first time in my life that I didn't make the trek.
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der July/August 2022-Ausgabe von Reader's Digest Canada.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent ? Anmelden
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der July/August 2022-Ausgabe von Reader's Digest Canada.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent? Anmelden
I'm Very HappyL 29 They Turned Into the Men They Are'
Jason and Travis Kelce are two of the most adored siblings in the world. Their mom, Donna, talks to Us about raising the down-to-earth sports legends
Fears for Britney
The Grammy winner sparks concern after an incident at an L.A. hotel
JEN'S Happily Ever After
IT'S HER TURN: NEARLY A DECADE AFTER HER MARRIAGE TO BEN AFFLECK IMPLODED, JENNIFER GARNER WILL BE A BRIDE AGAIN AT 52.
BATTLE OVER BRITNEY
WHISPERS OF REVIVING HER CONSERVATORSHIP HAVE THE SINGER FIGHTING MAD.
NICOLE'S MOM HEARTBREAK
Accepting her AFI Life Achievement Award April 27, Nicole Kidman thanked her costars, her directors, her fans and her family — or at least some of it.
MEGHAN'S MONEY PIT!
Harasses hubby for help funding lifestyle brand
Gigi to Irina: BACK OFF, HE'S MINE!
Gigi Hadid is nervous about Bradley Cooper's suddenly single ex, Irina Shayk.
SEINFELD TREMORS HAVE HIS FANS ALL SHOOK UP!
Fears sitcom king has Parkinson's
CHINA FUNDING CAMPUS CRISIS!
Intelligence experts reveal Beijing is out to destabilize the U.S.
KIM KARDASHIAN VAMPIRE FACIALS LINKED TO HIV!
CDC exposes danger as spa gets shuttered
BLOWHARD BILLY TOXIC IN H'WOOD!
HOTHEADED hasbeen Billy Baldwin's ballistic temper has turned him into Hollywood kryptonite and now threatens to blow up his marriage, sources say.
HOW THEY MADE PEACE
Kate and Oliver Hudson's dad, Bill, talks to Us about reconnecting with his kids: \"Things couldn't be better\"
5 BLASTS FROM THE PAST WITH GLAD
Let the scents surrounding the pop culture moments you loved as a kid transport you back to some of your favorite moments in time.
Career Comeback
The future is bright for Lindsay Lohan. Following starring roles in the Netflix movies Irish Wish and Falling for Christmas -and the sequel to her hit 2003 film Freaky Friday officially getting the green light - the former troubled actress is ready for a major career resurgence.
CARNIE WILSON'S ULTIMATE MEMORIAL DAY BBQ
Kick off summer with the perfect backyard bash compliments of music royalty!
JEN'S KID FIX!
Jennifer Aniston has been open about her disappointment in not having kids of her own.
WYNONNA DITCHES DEADBEAT DAUGHTER
Eyes tough love and grandkid's future
BIDEN'S STAFF IN PURE PANIC!
Fighting for lives as president, 81, looks like a loser
INGRATE MIRANDA'S SOLO IN SPOTLIGHT!
COUNTRY queen Miranda Lambert is being blasted as an ingrate by critics after rising to stardom by opening for the likes of George Strait and Toby Keith but not offering new artists the same opportunity!
GEORGE & AMAL'S FRENCH KISS-OFF!
Celebrate milestone by putting down roots in sunny Provence
Twisted Sisters
Pretty Little Liars alum Sasha Pieterse opens up about playing twins in her new film, The Image of You
PARTY POOPER POPPY BOOTED!
Deadbeat actress pried kicking & screaming from rent-free house
KRIS'CRAZY VODKA DIET!
Health fears as momager drinks all her calories
UPPING her GAME!
BASKETBALL PHENOM CAITLIN CLARK HAS BROUGHT NEW FANS TO WOMEN'S BASKETBALL. NOW SHE'S OFF TO THE PROS.
Ellen BREAKS HER SILENCE!
AFTER LAYING LOW FOR A FEW YEARS, ELLEN DEGENERES IS BACK ON STAGE - AND SHE'S TAKING AIMAT EVERYONE WHO TRIED TO BRING HER DOWN.
Love Lives
GWEN BLAKE Family First
Kathie Lee's Life With Her Kids
For Kathie Lee Gifford, working alongside her children, son Cody, 34, and daughter Cassidy, 30, on their passion projects allows them to squeeze in some extra quality time.
ON NETFLIX 5/16 Bridgerton
After two years of buildup, it's finally Colin Bridgerton (Luke Newton) and Penelope Featherington's (Nicola Coughlan) time to shine as Bridgerton's latest leading couple, and it's well worth the wait.
HARRY'S WAR OF WORDS
Millions at stake as Harry digs deep in toxic new tell-all
BIEBER BREAKDOWN!
Dejected Justin cries out for help