PEI is where I grew up, and no matter how long I’ve lived away, a part of me will always be there.

Right now, that distance feels unbearable. My mom is at home in palliative care after we learned she has a massive tumour on her right lung. I want to be beside her. I also know that every visit will make what is happening more real.

When my dad died suddenly at 79, there was no time to prepare.

Losing him was a shock that changed everything in an instant. With my mom, I’m facing a different kind of heartbreak: knowing what is coming and having to watch someone I love move toward it. I honestly don’t know which is harder.

At the same time, my son has gone off to university in Edinburgh. I’m so proud of him. Watching him begin this new chapter is everything I hoped for, even as I miss him terribly.

And at home, our daughter Victoria, who has non speaking autism, will continue to need us in ways that don’t end when a child becomes an adult. Her life and care are woven into every decision we make.

Some people call this the squeeze generation. You’re caring for your children while your parents need you, too. But “squeeze” sounds almost too tidy for what it feels like. My heart is in Edinburgh with my son, at home with Victoria, and across the country with my mom. Wherever I am, part of me feels I should be somewhere else.

And all of this is happening while I’m going through menopause and trying to make sense of the changes in my own body and life. Some days I can carry it. Other days, the emotion catches up with me when I least expect it.

I feel deeply blessed. I’ve had an amazing life. My mom is receiving wonderful care at home, and I’m grateful for the people who care for Victoria and love her as we do. Gratitude is real. So is the exhaustion. So is the fear, the guilt, and the sadness that can eat away at you quietly from the inside.

I’m sharing this because we don’t talk enough about this part of life. We celebrate children finding their way into the world, and we try to be strong for parents nearing the end of theirs. In between, there are people trying to hold both with love.

If you’re in that place too, I see you. It’s a lot. And it’s okay to say so.

The post The Squeeze We Don’t Talk About appeared first on Living Hollis Style.

We were so grateful to have the opportunity to go behind the scenes and see the incredible transformation taking place at the Centre. What we saw was more than a construction project. It was a glimpse into the future of creativity, learning, art and community on Prince Edward Island.

A $65-Million Transformation

The Confederation Centre of the Arts is undergoing a $65-million revitalization—the largest transformation in the Centre’s 60-year history.

Walking through the construction site gave us a whole new appreciation for the scale of what is being created. From the unfinished spaces and exposed infrastructure to the plans showing what these areas will eventually become, it was exciting to imagine the finished Centre.

There is something special about seeing a place before it is complete. You get to see the hard work, the vision and all the little details that will eventually come together to create something beautiful.

And knowing that this project will provide even more opportunities for creativity, education, connection and Canadian culture makes it even more meaningful for our Island community.

A Family Legacy That Will Live On

For our family, however, this revitalization is especially close to our hearts.

One of the most meaningful parts of the project is the Michael S. Schurman Family Studio, which will carry Dad’s name forward.

My mom and sisters made this beautiful donation in his memory, helping create a space where children, families and artists will have the opportunity to explore their creativity, learn new things and simply enjoy the arts.

Standing inside the space and seeing the plans for what it will become was an emotional moment for all of us.

It is difficult to put into words what it means to know that Dad’s name will be part of a place where future generations will create, discover and be inspired.

Dad would be so incredibly proud. 🤍

Seeing the Vision Come to Life

Our behind-the-scenes tour gave us the chance to see areas that most visitors would never normally get to see.

We walked through spaces that are currently filled with construction materials, equipment and unfinished walls, while holding the plans and images that show the beautiful spaces they are destined to become.

It was almost like looking at the Centre’s past, present and future all at once.

And, of course, we couldn’t resist putting on our hard hats and getting into the spirit of the tour! From exploring the construction site to taking photos together, it was such a memorable experience.

We were also lucky enough to enjoy the views from above and see Charlottetown from a completely different perspective.

Something Special Is Coming to PEI

Projects like this are about so much more than buildings.

They create spaces where people can gather, children can discover their creativity, artists can share their work and families can make memories together.

For us, this project also represents something deeply personal—a way to honour Dad while creating something that will continue to inspire others for years to come.

We left the tour feeling incredibly grateful and excited to see the transformation continue.

We can’t wait to come back and see the Michael S. Schurman Family Studio and the rest of the revitalized Confederation Centre of the Arts once everything is complete.

Fall 2026 can’t come soon enough!

Until then, we’ll treasure being able to say that we got a little behind-the-scenes glimpse of what is to come. ❤️

Follow along as this incredible chapter unfolds for Confederation Centre of the Arts and for PEI. @confedcentre

The post A Behind-the-Scenes Look at the Transformation of Confederation Centre of the Arts appeared first on Living Hollis Style.

One of my favorite traditions is our annual family gathering, lovingly hosted by Nana and Grampy. Every year, they bring everyone together, and each family takes a turn hosting dinner for the group. With around 15 of us altogether, including Rob’s parents, Nana and Grampy, Rob’s sister Stephanie and her family, his brother Neil, his sister Susie and her family, and our own little family, it becomes a week filled with laughter, conversation, and incredible homemade food.

Every meal is prepared with love using fresh, seasonal ingredients, and each dinner reflects the personality of the family hosting. It isn’t about creating a perfect table or an elaborate menu. It’s about gathering together, sharing stories, enjoying delicious home cooked meals, and making memories that we all look forward to every single year.

From Beach Walks to the Dinner Table

One of my favorite parts of our time here has been collecting shells with my nieces. We gathered them along the beach and decided to turn our little seaside treasures into something special for dinner: handmade shell place holders.

We decorated the shells, personalized them with names, and used them to mark everyone’s place at the table. Each one was completely unique, and I loved that something we found together by the ocean became part of our family dinner.

It’s such a simple summer activity to do with kids, too. Collect your favorite shells, clean and dry them, then decorate them with paint, colorful patterns, or each guest’s name. Suddenly, you have a beautiful, personal table detail and a keepsake to remember the day.

A Surfboard for a Dinner Table? Absolutely.

For dinner, we took the coastal theme one step further and used a surfboard as our dining table. It was casual, unexpected, and absolutely perfect for a summer evening by the water.

I made a spread of fresh salads alongside pasta, vegetables, and other dishes for everyone to share. Nothing too formal, just colorful, fresh food served family style while everyone gathered around the table.

Looking down that long table and seeing everyone together was probably my favorite part of the evening. My husband was there with his parents, Nana and Grampy, along with the rest of the family. These are the moments I want to remember: plates full of homemade food, conversations overlapping, people laughing, and the ocean just steps away.

Nana (Right) and Grampy (Left), My husband (middle)

And Then Came the Cake-Off…

Of course, we couldn’t end the day without a little friendly competition!

My nieces, nephew, and I had our own family cake-off, and things got wonderfully creative—and a little messy. We baked and decorated cakes with berries, colorful sprinkles, frosting, and plenty of personality.

Were they bakery-perfect? Definitely not. But that was exactly the point.

There was frosting everywhere, decorations piled high, and so much laughter along the way. By the time we started cutting into the cakes, the table looked like a delicious disaster. And I wouldn’t have had it any other way.

The Kind of Summer I Want to Remember

This trip has reminded me that some of the best memories come from making something out of what’s already around us.

Shells collected during a walk became personalized place holders. A surfboard became our dinner table. Fresh ingredients became a beautiful family feast. A simple baking activity became a hilarious cake competition with my nieces and nephew.

It wasn’t about creating a picture-perfect dinner. It was about creating something together.

And somewhere between collecting shells, tossing salads, decorating cakes, and sitting around the table with Nana, Grampy, my husband, and our family, we created the kind of summer evening I know I’ll look back on and smile.

Because sometimes, the most beautiful tables aren’t the fanciest ones. They’re the ones where everyone you love has a place.

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