The North began for me as a small seed that grew with each visit, and on this trip I saw that same beginning in others. At some point, the north stops being an idea and becomes something you are part of.

This was my seventh trip up north, yet the feeling never fades. I looked forward experiencing the wide-open space of the North to bring me back clarity. As we boarded the plane, that familiar mix of excitement and focus settled in once again.

In the middle of all the busyness, a few moments stayed with me. Some came through interruptions I didn’t expect; others through the steady presence of people who help carry the work forward. Sharing these stories brought a quiet sense of purpose—and reminded me why the work matters.

And once more, we crossed that invisible line dividing North and South, back into the world we had left behind.