“The world is a book. The person who does not travel reads only one page.”

Such wise words to live by, as we stumble our way through our lives. Those of us who have chosen not to travel have narrow terms of reference, as we make life-changing decisions.

I have been extremely fortunate this year, spending time in Marrakesh, Morocco and London, England with my adventurous daughter. I watched her live her life in these magnificent parts of the world.

Also, I spent a few days in Vancouver with my son. He seems to have it all figured out, with his life balanced in what is surely one of the most beautiful cities in the world — yes, when the sun shines.

The weather was predictably perfect during my visit for kayaking in Deep Cove, biking around Stanley Park’s Seawall and drinking cold beer on the deck of the venerable Vancouver Rowing Club.

And just walking around that great urban area.

After I returned to NOTL, I read in The Lake Report the results of the detailed survey about the housing needs of NOTL seniors as they age.

Thank you to Stephen Ferley and Michael Ennamorato, two leading Canadian researchers who now call our town home.

Their survey professionally proves what we should have suspected after eating many cookies in the Sweets & Swirls Cafe at the community centre, talking with friends in aisle four of the ValuMart (I know, I know, the Independent — change is hard) and after an Oast House Barnraiser or two with Henry and Shannon at our local Legion.

So, it has been confirmed: older NOTLers cherish their independence and want options to stay.

However, the great majority want to continue living in single family houses, most often with beautiful green grass to cut.

Therein lies the rub.

During my recent visits in Marrakesh and London, I was cheek-to-jowl with people enjoying excellent public transit, world-class socialized medicine, safe streets and a multicultural lifestyle that was invigorating and inspiring.

Libraries, pubs and people originally from all over the world.

What do they have that we don’t have here in our wee and wonderful corner of the world?

People — and lots of them. Density and housing variety. Step outside the door of apartment buildings, condominiums or student residences and navigate these multicultural cities feeling safe.

Being part of a really big and diverse cultural mosaic, with most everyone getting along.

Almost everyone tries to be kind, and isn’t this one of the keys?

I thought deeply about the people living the lives they were living in Morocco and England, and then reading the results of our recent comprehensive survey turned on a light bulb in my mind.

It will take a generational change in our thinking, and strong and determined political leadership, to convince Canadians to give up on the “dream of home ownership.”

Plenty of patience too, and the realization that developers are here to make money, and to help us.

I regularly pass by Stone Road Village on Niven Road, and the three-storey apartment buildings recently opened by the Hawleys in The Village.

So many happy people living well, within walking distance of medical services, a bank and the community centre and library. Other amenities and lots of kititzing, too.

What’s not to like?

Yes, friends and neighbours, we cannot have our housing cake and eat it, too.

If we want amenities and services, we must admit that densification is required. Let’s catch up to the rest of the world. Take a deep breath.

Look around the world: if possible, visit Sydney, Munich, Dublin, Oslo, Paris or so many other cities. The majority of people don’t live in single-family dwellings and they seem to be enjoying life a whole bunch.

It’s not easy to be humble, but let’s admit there just might be a better way.

It’s sometimes good to embrace and encourage change.

But I ramble.