No Small Moments - November 1, 2026
No Small Moments
“A letter to my family and friends in Calgary, and my church family in Lake Country, BC”
©Hubcatstide2026
Sometimes the words “Thank you” feel small compared to what my heart feels when I say them, BUT here goes –
Jeremy, thank you for intuitively or consciously wearing the Stranger Things hoodie I bought for you when we went shopping together in April. I intentionally wore my Stranger Things T-shirt I also bought while shopping with you. For ten days, you and I texted each other, counting down the minutes until October 8th, 4 pm, when I would ring your doorbell. I could hear and feel the pounding of your footsteps as you ran down the stairs and threw open the door where we immediately noticed one another’s Stranger Things Attire and smiled as we hugged. You intentionally started a contest around whoever told the other “I love you more” first in a text, call, or FaceTime, stating the person who said it the most would be the winner. One morning before my trip to Calgary, I woke up at 6 am to find that you had texted me at 12:03 am to say “I love you more” making sure you were first and the rest of my day I walked on clouds of your sweet energy. You won the contest and believe me when I say I did not let you win. But also believe me when I say there is NO WAY, you could ever love me more and honey, it’s not a contest…and one day you’ll know what I mean. Listening to your stories, catching me up, showing me things that mean something to you, listening to your new Green Day vinyl in your bedroom, sitting by you at dinner and watching my family share their stories, thoughts, and appreciation for my brisket, priceless.
Luke, every time I see you, so much giant inner and outer growth has taken place, and still, your core sweetness remains unshaken, nurtured by the essence of your heart. Friday morning, when I surprised you with a Carmel Macchiato before school, being swept up into your hug was like being gently hit by a waterfall. You could squeeze the life out of me, instead, you squeezed love and life into me. When I left to go have breakfast with a friend and you asked me if you could give me another hug, well, all I can say my first grand child is wrap that magic up because that is the only gift I want from you. I was proud of you – watching you gently kiss your girlfriend in front of your family, hold her hand, and cuddle while we all played games and laughed together. I was proud of our family – of who we are that created a safe place for you to be freely yourself in all your sixteen-year-old expressions.
Sarah and Amy – You both noticed I took time away from the kitchen island to sit on the couch. Both of you thought it was to lean my back against a heating pad, and that was part of the reason. The other part of the reason was to watch you talking and laughing with one another. Your tones and physical affection were palpable. I breathed slowly, taking the vision of you two in – imprinting you on my heart, so when I am away, and I know y’all are together, I can envision the moments and smile. Thank you for your thoughtfulness in gathering my favorite things from the Farmer’s Market to graze on during our time together. And thank you for buying everything for our “Brisket Thanksgiving” and letting me cook for you. You both know that cooking is one of my top love languages, and watching everyone go back for seconds and thirds of brisket, was a joy. And how shocked were we when Luke’s girlfriend, who only eats certain things, rarely meat, AND covers most pf her food with Ranch Dressing, took Luke up on his dare to try the brisket and she went back for thirds – hearty thirds, I’m just sayin. Thank goodness no Ranch was poured, Nanny (my mother) would have risen from the Okanagan and made a scene. She was good at that. Thank you for our one-on-ones and our Fam Jam times together. My frequency was lowered, my energy and focus reset – you are medicine for my soul. I hope I am the same for you. For all your hugs, smiles, winks, quick wit, and vulnerable sharing, I am deeply grateful and very aware that my greatest legacy will be your presence in our world. Thank you for looking to me as your mother, and now, sometimes your friend. The gifts of our family’s imperfections are healers and guides.
No Nick and Clayton, I did not forget about you! We may not be in Texas anymore but ladies first! I joke – Jeremy and Luke open doors for me and pull out chairs for me…thank you for these memories. Thank you for our conversations – Nick – sharing the songs/videos with me…I really enjoyed learning your thoughts about the reasons for the songs and I will use one of the videos and pictures you texted me in a sermon. I met you both when you were teenagers, Clayton, you were Luke’s age. Witnessing the men you have become – and feeling the calm cadence of your energy as a father and uncle, as husbands, and my chosen sons, it helps me leave my daughters and grandchildren in your care, in your demonstrative love. Your marriage relationships exist in a pliable container of equality, respect, and love that creates space for both people to individually evolve. Your wit matches my daughters’ word for word…I love this. Strong women need strong partners where both can grow and learn to be soft places for the other to land.
To my soul sisters – we always enter in as if we have not been physically separated. The intentional ways we nurture our friendship across the miles is a solace for me. Thank you for really caring about who I am, how I am, what I am doing, and why I am doing what I am doing. We know we are 58 minutes away by plane, and we are always available for a phone call, text, or FaceTime. You know when I am in the pulpit and you never interrupt…but rarely a Sunday goes by where you don’t encourage me before a service or contact me to see how the service went, and how my congregation is doing.
I’ve got you – always…no questions asked, no matter what. I cannot imagine who I would be without the love, wisdom, and support you have given me for decades. Above all, thank you for always drawing me to the Sacred.
Church family – I hesitate to say “family” because that is a boundary for me. However, having a sense of people gathered for the highest good of one another, that is what “family” needs to be in order to understand and support one another’s journeys. Thank you for allowing me to be human. I live among you true to myself, without pretense, though with wisdom and healthy boundaries/separateness, while we nurture our togetherness. December 1st, we will celebrate the beginning of our third year together. We have witnessed one another grow, stumble, climb, hit and miss the mark, laugh, cry, grieve, doubt, and learn to trust. We ask intentional questions to gain understanding instead of making assumptions. Our beautiful differences have unified us into a larger wholeness. This has expanded our vision and mission while at the same time bringing our “Why” and “How” into a consolidated lens because we have freed the Spirit to change in Her constant and needful refocusing of our direction and movement together. I feel your love and appreciation and see it on your faces, in your offerings of vegetables, fruits, invitations and care for Ruby. Thank you for accompanying me on this holy Love Train we call Lake Country United Church – a place where open hearts and open hands are real. I enjoy every conversation and learn from each of them. Thank you for opening your hearts with me and sharing deep waters of your experiences and dreams. I am honored and humbled. BUT - what do I enjoy most? Making you laugh and watching internal light bulbs turn on in your eyes.
And lastly, thank you Ruby for your unconditional love…for your tail that wags “HAPPY” into my life, but honey, there’s just one thing. I don’t mind wearing earplugs because of your snoring. I know you have a collapsing trachea. And I never tire of your cuddles, but your flatulence, I’ve had enough.
There are no small moments.
Traci Hubbard
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