After my husband John died of colon cancer, life felt like it had been turned inside out. Less than a year later, the pandemic arrived, stripping away what little sense of normalcy I had been holding onto.

For years, my job had me traveling Monday through Thursday. Then suddenly, I went from losing my person, to losing my heavy travel lifestyle, to sitting at home staring at Zoom squares. The shift was overwhelming.

In those early months, I realized something important: I needed to make sure I had some form of social interaction every day. Without it, I felt untethered. My social health, meaning my ability to feel connected, supported, and part of a community, took a real hit.

Social Health as Living Fully

When I ask myself what living fully means, social health is at the top of my list. I’ve learned that I thrive when I’m surrounded by strong connections with family, friends, and the communities I’m part of.

Kasley Killam, a researcher and advocate for social health, defines it as “the dimension of well-being that comes from connection and community.” She often points out that social health is just as important as physical or mental health, yet we rarely give it the same attention.

That rings true for me. I’ve seen firsthand how investing in relationships, through grief, through transition, and through everyday living, has replenished me.

A Weekend of Connection

This past holiday weekend, I spent time with my family at the Lake of the Ozarks. We rented a large house, and the heart of it was the spacious front room that opened into the kitchen.

On Saturday night, some grilled, others prepared side dishes, and eventually, we sat down together for a big family dinner. Later, we roasted s’mores around the fire pit.

It wasn’t anything fancy. We didn’t spend a lot of money. But it was rich in something deeper: love and connection. Cousins spent time together. Siblings reconnected. And I left the weekend feeling replenished.

Moments like these remind me that living fully doesn’t always mean grand adventures or big achievements. Sometimes, it’s about the simple act of showing up for one another.

Living Fully as a Legacy

In a past blog, I wrote that legacy isn’t a list—it’s love in action (read here). Living fully, to me, is tied to that same truth. Every small gesture of connection, such as sharing a meal, laughing around a fire, listening deeply to a friend, is a building block of the legacy we leave behind.

I also shared in another post how, after John’s death, I had to relearn joy. At first, it felt foreign. But step by step, small joys and meaningful connections helped me rediscover what it meant to live fully again.

Your Turn

So I ask you: What does living fully look like for you?

Maybe it’s carving out time to be with friends. Maybe it’s saying yes to family gatherings, even when life feels too busy. Maybe it’s starting a new tradition, like Sunday dinners or a neighborhood book club.

Whatever it is, start small. Take one step toward building connection and community into your days. These moments, stitched together, are what make a full life and, ultimately, a meaningful legacy.

✨ While living fully, we’re building our legacy one connection at a time.