Today, I am the same age my mother was when she moved into a retirement residence. I watched her flourish there and find the strength to cope with my father's passing by surrounding herself with kind, caring people who truly enjoyed life. She often said, “Life is beautiful!” Even as her health declined, she kept repeating, “Life is beautiful!”
She even said those words to a doctor who suggested reducing her treatments. “No,” she replied, “because... life is beautiful!” That outlook left a lasting impression on all of us who loved her. One of her granddaughters was so inspired by her spirit that she had “Life is beautiful” tattooed on her arm.
Today, I find myself saying it over and over again: yes, life is beautiful when we choose to celebrate being alive and share that joy with those around us.
Open House in several of our residences
This September, several Le Groupe Maurice residences will be opening their doors and inviting you to come discover what makes each complex unique.
Come meet us !
Older people are not only the guardians of our past, but they are also the guarantors of our future.
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Amid the global turmoil that clashes with our values, we felt the need to comfort, to infuse a bit of light. We had the privilege of meeting five remarkable individuals; five steadfast beacons, who have become guiding lights, reminding us that we always have access to a refuge: the one within ourselves.
Your guiding lights
My grandfather was like a sturdy tree, with roots grounded in wisdom and branches that offered me shelter and light… like the fig tree in his garden, under whose shade we’d sit during the hot summer noons in Vitrolles. With him, I learned to question, to debate, and to respect — to cultivate critical thinking without ever losing kindness. To embody a humanist spirit as much as possible. His values, passed on like a quiet breath, still guide my actions and choices today. They continue to carry me — unshakable and reassuring.
My aunt is a determined, eloquent, and deeply generous woman. A traveler at heart, she also built a remarkable career as a businesswoman, always guided by passion and kindness. She taught me, and continues to show me, that with determination, ambition, and heart, we can achieve what truly matters to us, regardless of our background or our age. Yesterday, today, and tomorrow, she will remain a precious source of support, inspiration, and comfort in my life.
I remember how much joy my paternal grandmother took in cooking all her delicious meals for us. She always made sure there was a pot of leek soup just for me, since it was my favorite, or in the summer, freshly picked rhubarb from the garden that she would let me dip into mountains of sugar! That was her way of showing love.
Without even realizing it, her cooking became a cornerstone of our family, bringing us all together. Even today, my cousins and I still talk about Grandma Rachel’s feasts, and we continue trying to recreate her recipes exactly the way she made them.
My mother has always been one of the most important people in my life. A single mother working two jobs over six days a week, she made sure we never lacked anything. She provided us with a private-school education and summers spent at camps, far from the potential troubles of Montreal’s east-end neighborhoods.
She worked tirelessly for our well-being and did everything she could to give us a structured upbringing that was both loving and warm.
My grandmother always says, “Never speak ill of others because, remember, only mountains never meet. Instead, just look at people sideways. Making funny faces is much more enjoyable than speaking badly about them!”
As humorous as this advice may be, it encourages me to be kind and compassionate every day, even in difficult situations.
My grandfather is a man of few words, someone who prefers to stay in the background: discreet, yet always present. He observes attentively, listens with tenderness, and when he chooses to speak, his words carry wisdom and sincerity.
I have the privilege of discovering a little more about him with every passing moment, whenever he quietly shares an anecdote or memory in confidence. Those moments are unique and magical. Each one allows me to climb another branch of the strong, majestic tree he has embodied throughout my life, a branch that connects me to his roots while lifting me high into the air, inviting me to travel lightly through the landscape of his memories.
My Grandpa Georges! He knew how to play cards and checkers. He would let me win because it made me happy. He had all the classic grandfather remedies and could cure even the worst cold with nothing more than an afternoon nap!
He was a true bon vivant. He was always whistling, and his blue eyes had a calming effect on everyone around him. I still miss him dearly. 🫶🏻
Share your story
Every heirloom piece of jewelry, every tune our parents or grandparents used to hum—each holds a story, a legacy, a set of values… In the moving portraits of four seniors, we honour those who light the way for us, who inspire us, and who move us with the comfort, kindness, and respect they awaken in us. What about you? What connects you to your family roots? Share a memory, a meaningful phrase, a hummed song… a special moment with an older person that will stay with you forever.
*All submissions will be moderated to ensure kindness and courtesy in the messages.