{"id":566,"date":"2026-06-22T17:36:05","date_gmt":"2026-06-22T17:36:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/staging.concordiafoundation.ca\/?page_id=566"},"modified":"2026-06-22T17:37:15","modified_gmt":"2026-06-22T17:37:15","slug":"where-the-heart-feels-at-home","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/staging.concordiafoundation.ca\/?page_id=566","title":{"rendered":"Where the Heart Feels at Home"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Finding Home: Pat\u2019s Story of Joy, Resilience, and Community<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Where the Heart Feels at Home<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Pat arrived at Concordia Village in July, carrying with her not just a suitcase, but a lifetime of memories.<\/p>

The transition felt natural, almost as though it was meant to be. Both her aunt and uncle had once lived in the very same suite, and the moment she stepped inside, she felt an immediate sense of belonging. It was as if the walls already knew her story.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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\u201cThe walls already knew her story.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>

Long before Concordia Village, Pat\u2019s life began on a farm just outside Winnipeg, where she grew up alongside her two brothers. Her childhood was filled with open skies, endless fields, and long prairie winters.<\/p>

She smiled as she recalled climbing to the top of the barn shed with her brothers and sledding down with fearless joy.<\/p>

One memory still stands out vividly: the great winter storm of March 4, 1966. Snow piled nearly six feet high, almost swallowing the barn. There were no snowblowers or modern conveniences \u2014 just shovels, determination, and a strong sense of togetherness.<\/p>

\u201cIt was very different back then,\u201d<\/strong> she said.<\/p>

When asked what has changed most over the years, Pat didn\u2019t hesitate.<\/p>

\u201cEverything. It\u2019s completely different.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>

The wide-open fields she once knew have since been replaced by shopping malls and apartment buildings. The quiet countryside has become busier and louder, but in her heart, those peaceful landscapes remain untouched.<\/p>

One of Pat\u2019s greatest passions began at the age of 18, when she started working at a local bakery. It was there that the owner shared a treasured fruitcake recipe with her \u2014 a small gesture that sparked something much bigger.<\/p>

Baking quickly became more than just a skill; it became her calling.<\/p>

Before long, Pat opened a bakery of her own, pouring love into every loaf, wedding cake, and pastry she created. Today, she continues to share that passion with her children and grandchildren, passing down recipes filled with both flavour and cherished memories.<\/p>

\u201cWarm kitchens, snowy memories, and a lifetime of kindness.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>

Now, Pat is a treasured member of the Concordia Village community.<\/p>

She fills her days with simple joys: gardening, crafting, and creating thoughtful handmade touches like doorknob fobs that brighten the lives of those around her. Her hands are always busy, making something meaningful and full of care.<\/p>

She often reflects on how quickly Concordia Village felt like home, thanks to the kindness of the staff and the warmth of neighbours who soon became like family.<\/p>

Her secret to happiness is beautifully simple:<\/p>

\u201cDay by day. That\u2019s how you do it.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>

And when life becomes difficult?<\/p>

\u201cDeal with it the day it happens if something upsets you. Don\u2019t carry it.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>

There is a quiet wisdom in the way Pat lives\u2014a reminder that happiness is rarely found in grand moments, but rather in the small, steady ones: in kindness, resilience, warm kitchens, and snowy memories.<\/p>

Spending time with Pat, it\u2019s impossible not to feel inspired. Her life is a beautiful testament to finding joy in every season and making wherever you are feel like home.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Finding Home: Pat\u2019s Story of Joy, Resilience, and Community Where the Heart Feels at Home Pat arrived at Concordia Village in July, carrying with her not just a suitcase, but a lifetime of memories. The transition felt natural, almost as though it was meant to be. Both her aunt and uncle had once lived in […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-566","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/staging.concordiafoundation.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/566","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/staging.concordiafoundation.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/staging.concordiafoundation.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/staging.concordiafoundation.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/staging.concordiafoundation.ca\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=566"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/staging.concordiafoundation.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/566\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":576,"href":"https:\/\/staging.concordiafoundation.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/566\/revisions\/576"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/staging.concordiafoundation.ca\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=566"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}