The most memorable person I met while travelling has to be our B&B host in Whitehorse, YT. She remains one of the strongest people I have ever met, and I cannot remember being so in awe of someone before.
It is difficult to strike a balance between telling her story and keeping her privacy. We spent many mornings talking together long after breakfast had ended. This usually meant our days started very late, but as we were in the Yukon during July, the daylight extended until nearly midnight.
This was the first time I had seen my mom so impressed by someone. She really admired the strength, endurance, and spirit our host had. She told us her stories when they came up in conversation, always matter-of-fact, but not downplaying her achievements.
Growing older with grace, not letting the disappointments define your life, not letting physical or psychological setbacks change your lifestyle. She has many tangible achievements that are easy to explain to others why she is amazing, but in truth, that is not the reason why she left such a lasting impression. It is hard to describe, but there is a certain lightness to someone's character that is hard to maintain after so many years of living.
Who is she? She isn't anyone famous. She is just a human who lives her life fiercely, and it is so admirable.
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