So…..I had my other thumb surgery - LRTI - done this past Monday. I’ve been a little trippy on the pain meds for the last few days so my thoughts and words are coming out quite scrambly. I’m not even sure scrambly is a word.

My Momma used to tell me that I brought a lot of light and life and excitement into our home. After five sons and three daughters - I was born - the 9th child - loved, cherished and yes - somewhat spoiled. I imagine it’s because I spent a fair amount of time during my childhood years with my Gramma Castle - that was part of the reason I was an exuberant child. How I loved her. Margaret Ellen Castle was a force - so is Martha Ellen Castle.

About Margaret. Grandma Castle is the only one of my four grandparents that I ever really knew. I loved her. She was loud. She was boisterous. She was outgoing. She played the piano and organ with gusto. She sang with a great vibrato and loud. She maintained her English accent all her life. Gramma was born at 62 Thrush Street in London, England on December 6, 1891. I don’t know when her family came to Canada but come to CANADA they did. I don’t know how and when she met Grandpa but they met, dated, married and went on to have five sons and two daughters. Because I was a singer and a piano player, Gramma and I had a lot in common and we spent a lot of time, singing and playing together. She sang hymns and British songs and I loved it. When I was around ten years old, I was at her apartment and her wall clocked chimed out the hour. She looked at me very seriously and said - “we’re one hour closer to eternity!” I never forgot that. Gramma was concerned about spiritual things. When I was in Junior high school (grade 7 and 8) - I often went and had lunch with her - about once every two weeks. I remember talking about her favourite scripture passages and her favourite hymns. When I was 13, Gramma had a stroke and spent the last 6 years of her life being cared for in a Senior’s Home. I visited her often. I was home from college in the summer of 1977 and was sitting at the kitchen table having breakfast with my Dad when he got the call that she had passed away. It was July 12, 1977 - Gramma was 86 years old. I loved her. I felt close to her. My middle name is Ellen - the same as hers. I knew she loved me. I was 19. I’m a lot like her.

My ‘life race’ has been exciting and fulfilling but not without its challenges…….changing schools and neighbourhoods during elementary years - marrying a young pastor and having three babies in the first five years of our marriage - hearing the news that my brother Tim drowned at the age of 39 - hirings and firings during 35 years of pastoring the local church - the incredible joy of raising three wonderful sons - enjoying the satisfaction of our children graduating from university - starting their careers - witnessing their marriages to their incredible, beautiful and talented wives - and of course - the overwhelming joy of the births of ten grandchildren - the deep sadness and grief of Randy’s death after being married only 35 years - the unimaginable joy of finding love a second time - living on the lake - two consecutive hand surgeries this summer - playing pickleball - all these things and more.

AND did you know that once upon a time - Randy and I auditioned for Canada’s version of The Amazing Race. We thought we’d be great contestants. CHECK OUT OUR AUDITION VIDEO.

https://youtu.be/4lECGLdYceg?si=vmakP4saY0Hk0pEX

I cajoled Randy into auditioning and no - they didn’t choose us. I’m still sad about that. We would have made awesome competitors and represented our age group well.

My amazing life race has changed through the years - it looks different - but it’s good. - it’s very good.

I have an unshakeable GOD - my constant companion in my race that continues.