Celebrations of Life , What They’re Really About

Lately, I’ve been to more celebrations of life than I can count. At first, I found them hard. But now, I see something profoundly beautiful in them.

They aren’t just a substitute for funerals. They’re a chance to remember the real person, not just how they died, but how they lived. Stories are shared. Photos passed around. People laugh, cry, hug, and reflect. And no matter the life led, the message is almost always the same: “They were loved. They made a difference. They mattered.”

Sometimes people worry that these events only paint a rosy picture. Maybe they do. But that’s not a flaw, it’s a form of emotional survival. In our memories, we hold onto the parts that gave us joy and meaning. That nostalgia connects us, and gives us something to carry forward.

And if you’re thinking about your own legacy, take heart in this: You don’t need to impress everyone. The best endings don’t leave people simply happy, they leave them touched, reflective, maybe even changed.

So, live for the connections that count. Be kind when you can. Laugh with people you love. Because when it’s your celebration someday, that’s what they’ll remember.

How Will We Be Remembered? Let’s Talk Honestly About Legacy

As I’ve grown older, I’ve found myself wondering, not with fear, but with quiet curiosity, how I’ll be remembered when I’m gone.

For many of us, the assumption is that our legacy will be based on what we did in our lives: our careers, our achievements, how kind or generous we were. But as I attend more celebrations of life, I’m realizing something quite different. There’s a kind of gentle rewriting that happens after someone dies. Research calls it the “end-of-life positivity bias.” It’s the tendency we have to remember the good, to tell stories that highlight warmth, laughter, and love. This bias might trouble some who fear they will be misunderstood in death, remembered too kindly, or perhaps not kindly enough. But it may be helpful to understand that our legacy is relational, it’s not just about what we did, but how we mattered to others. Those connections form the thread of remembrance, more than the sum of our individual choices.

At first, I wonder what was going on at these celebrations. But I’ve come to see it as something deeply human and healing. People need to find meaning and connection in loss. And nostalgia, talking about the good times, helps them do that.

So maybe the real question isn’t “What will they say about me?” but “Who did I really matter to?” Legacy, it seems, is not about grand gestures. It’s about the moments we shared, the hearts we touched, the people who quietly carry our memory forward.

Let’s worry less about being remembered perfectly, and more about being present meaningfully.

Smaller social circle?

 Margaret had always been the social butterfly of her block, organizer of potlucks, the voice of the neighborhood watch, and the one with a Rolodex that rivaled a corporate directory. In her sixties and early seventies, she could be found chatting with everyone at the community centre, always first to RSVP and last to leave.

But now, at 81, her calendar looked very different. At first, she chalked it up to time’s wear: some friends had moved to assisted living, others were lost to illness or age. It seemed natural, even expected. “That’s just the way it goes,” she’d tell herself with a shrug.

Then one day, over tea with her friend Alma—one of the few regulars still in her life, Margaret mentioned the emptiness she felt about her shrinking circle. Alma gave her a warm smile. “But is it really empty? Or just... refined?”

Margaret raised an eyebrow.

“You remember how we used to say yes to everyone? Every club, every lunch invitation, every meeting? I think I was trying to please people more than I was really connecting with them. Now? I just want real conversations. I want the people who see me.”

That night, Margaret thought about what Alma had said and she had a revelation . It wasn’t just about who had left her life—it was also about who she had quietly let go of. The acquaintances who never really listened. The friends who drained her with complaints. The ones who never showed up unless they needed something.

She realized she wasn’t lonely—she was choosing depth over breadth.

Her days now included a walk with Alma, a Sunday call with her grandson, and monthly dinners with two longtime friends who never needed small talk to feel connected. There was less noise, yes—but so much more meaning.

Margaret once thought a shrinking social circle meant something had gone wrong., her thinking mirrored the conventional wisdom. However, the reality is that as we age and move toward the end of life, we focus more on what’s more important, on the relationships that are most important. We focus on a few relationships that have the most meaning as we don’t want to waste what precious time we have left.

Happy BC Day

Every community has a weekend to celebrate summer in BC where I live, we celebrate summer on BC Day. BC Day is a fun weekend for many of us. I hope that you had a chance to take part in some of the following activities that celebrate who we are as a people and as a province within Canada.

1.   Celebrate BC Day Festival in Coquitlam: Taking place at Town Centre Park, this festival celebrates BC Day with family-friendly activities. (Source: Vancouver's Best Places)

2.   Brigade Days at Fort Langley: A three-day celebration featuring folk in period costume over the BC Day Long Weekend (August 2-4, 2025). (Source: Vancouver's Best Places)

3.   BC Day Long Weekend at Sun Peaks Resort: Enjoy FREE family-friendly activities from August 1-3, 2025. (Source: Sun Peaks Resort)

Summer Activities:

1.   Strawberry Picking: Visit one of the best strawberry picking farms in Metro Vancouver. (Source: Vancity Kids)

2.   Hiking and Biking at Big White Ski Resort: Explore epic hiking and biking adventures. (Source: Big White Ski Resort)

3.   Summer Camps in Vancouver: Various day camps, overnight camps, sports, drama, music, and more. (Source: Vancouver Kids Out and About)

4.   Festivals and Events in Victoria: A range of festivals and cultural events worth planning a trip around. (Source: Clipper Vacations)

Other Events and Activities:

1.   Concord Pacific's Free Family Bike Festival and Tour de Concord Cycling Race: A fun event on July 13, 2025. (Source: Daily Hive)

2.   Khatsahlano Street Party: A celebration on July 5, 2025, in Vancouver. (Source: Carmanah Hotel)

3.   Granville Block Party: A festival in Vancouver with live music, food, and activities. (Source: Carmanah Hotel)

4.   NESTFEST at Red Bird Brewing in Kelowna: A two-day celebration with live music over the BC Day long weekend. (Source: Tourism Kelowna)

These are just a few examples of the many events and activities happening in BC over the BC Day long weekend and throughout the summer. Here are a few more:

Festivals & Cultural Celebrations

1.   Vancouver Pride Parade and Festival – A major event usually held around BC Day, celebrating LGBTQ2S+ communities with a colorful parade, live music, and inclusive activities.

2.   Harmony Arts Festival (West Vancouver) – A 10-day celebration of arts, music, food, and crafts by the waterfront.

3.   Powell Street Festival (Vancouver) – Canada’s largest Japanese-Canadian festival featuring martial arts, taiko drumming, food, and cultural performances.

4.   Filomi Days (Port Hardy) – A North Island festival celebrating fishing, logging, and mining with parades, kids’ games, and fireworks.

5.   Kamloopa Powwow (Kamloops) – One of the largest Indigenous cultural celebrations in Western Canada, showcasing traditional dance, song, and art.

Outdoor Activities & Adventures

6.   Camping and Hiking – Popular provincial parks like Garibaldi, Cultus Lake, and Strathcona fill up quickly as people enjoy extended stays outdoors.

7.   Paddling and Boating – Kayaking on Okanagan Lake, canoeing on the Bowron Lakes, or taking a boat out in Desolation Sound.

8.   Beach Days – Kitsilano Beach (Vancouver), Willows Beach (Victoria), or Skaha Lake (Penticton) are packed with sun-seekers.

9.   Cycling Events and Family Rides – Bike paths throughout BC, such as the Galloping Goose Trail or the Kettle Valley Rail Trail, offer scenic cycling getaways.

Local Markets & Food Events

10. Farmers’ Markets – Seasonal BC-grown produce, artisanal goods, and local treats are in full swing in communities across the province.

11. Food Truck Festivals – Especially in cities like Vancouver, Surrey, and Kelowna, offering a wide array of international cuisine.

12. Winery & Brewery Tours – Okanagan wine country is especially popular for tastings and picnics during the long weekend.

Community Events & Fireworks

13. Fireworks Shows – Some communities cap off the weekend with fireworks displays, particularly in waterfront towns or resort areas.

14.  Community Picnics and Barbecues – Local parks often host family-friendly gatherings with games, live music, and grilled favorites.

15.  BC Day Parades – Smaller towns like Hope, Fort St. John, or Ladysmith may host local parades celebrating their history and culture.

Performing Arts & Entertainment

16.  Theatre Under the Stars (Vancouver) – A long-running outdoor musical theatre tradition in Stanley Park.

17.   Live Music Concerts – Many cities have free outdoor concerts in parks, including symphony performances and local bands.