In this busy world, I love reminders of what is really important. Reminders of the 90%s in our lives.

One of the highlights of our summer holidays was a visit to Great Grandma's farm. I grew up with lots of change and "GG's" farm is the only place that remained unchanged during my childhood. The only place I went that nothing was different. I was our son's age when my Dad married my second Mom (of three) and this was the farm that was introduced to my life then. I remembered the first time I visited this special farm as I shared the stories with my own children. After the divorce, I rarely went back. Something I truly missed.

I don't visit as often as I would like to and I hadn't been back to the farm with my children since they were born. We are officially too busy when we can't make time for these important things.

Driving to GG's with my children in the back seat took me right back as I pointed out abandoned farm houses and places I used to ride my bike. I felt so much emotion welling up as I pulled up to her house. The winding driveway seemed so much bigger as a child.

"GG" was standing on the porch waiting for us with a smile so big you would think royalty had arrived. She toured my excited children and I around the four-story farmhouse and told them the story of how her late husband and his Dad built the home. I was so humbled by how much of it was exactly the same as I remembered it. The iron beds, the home-made quilts, a simple TV in the living room and no computer.

We visited her huge garden, beautiful flower beds and the small trailer she likes to sleep in on hot summer nights. I was humbled by how she still makes time for her three-mile walk every morning. The barn looks like every great old barn you see in pictures, weathered to perfection. We pried the heavy sliding door open. I was shocked to see how well it had withstood our frigid winters and hot buggy summers. A small cupboard housed my late Grandfathers "things"; a tobacco can, tools and even a pair of gloves lay waiting for him to return to work. It was like he had been there yesterday not the decades it has been...

This special woman made us what she called a "simple farm lunch". The dishes she served on were the ones I ate on as a child. We looked through photo albums and played records on the record player as we visited. I felt like time had stood still.

As GG stood waving goodbye I could hardly keep it together. We did not want to leave this peaceful place as we drove down that winding driveway and returned to the city.

Our visit stays with me and reminds me of what is truly important. I need to finish writing now. I have plants to water and a walk to take.