Heather Lewis

Heather says the slower pace that Cape Breton offers, along with the beauty that surrounds them, are cherished aspects of Island life.

When your husband has roots in Cape Breton, the call to come home can be strong. That was the case for Heather Lewis, who moved here from Louisville, Kentucky in 2017. They wanted to be close to family members who needed their care, and loved the idea of raising their son in a small community setting. While Heather had visited the area before making the move, living here provided some surprises. “There’s a world between visiting and living somewhere”, says Heather. “Heath care, the education system, the economy, the culture – they are all so different here.” 

Learning how to navigate her new environment meant finding health care services, getting her son enrolled in school, getting used to the fact that the products offered for sale here are different than those in the United States, the metric system notwithstanding. Being surrounded by a variety of cultures – from Mi’kmaq communities, to early immigrant cultures, and cultures of newer arrivals from areas like India – was an important learning experience for the family.   Now, the deep cultural and musical roots are some of the family’s favourite things about the Island.

Heather says the slower pace that Cape Breton offers, along with the beauty that surrounds them, are cherished aspects of Island life. “Raising our son in the home his father was raised in is precious,” says Heather. “So many priceless memories and traditions are being passed on.”

For those who may be contemplating a move to Cape Breton, Heather recommends they invest in a good camera and a winter coat! “There is a wealth of opportunities to get involved in the community if you put yourself out there,” says Heather.

While Heather says there were some challenges in settling here, she wouldn’t change a thing. “I have never felt stronger, wiser, more grounded and truer to my authentic self”, she says. “I’ve always found Cape Breton to be a deeply spiritual place. I cannot imagine life anywhere else.”

We can’t imagine you anywhere else either, Heather!


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