I learned a lot this summer! I learned that I can fill my time with other things besides pickle ball and golf. I learned that I could initiate more get-togethers with family and friends and they would come. I learned that four or five friends would constantly check in with me to see how I was healing. I learned that my family would constantly check in. I learned that I don’t want to have big gardens anymore. (I didn’t miss weeding). I learned to spend more time in the quiet and less time in the noise (of social media and news). I learned that Boiler beach changes almost daily because I walked it every morning - km after km after km. I learned that I had more time to stop over at the Kin J’s (while they were away) to sit with their animals and keep them company.

I missed a few things though. I missed celebrating my brother and sister-in-law’s 60th wedding anniversary party. Congratulations - again - to Bob and Lynn - God has blessed you with a long and successful marriage. You are an example to all those who know and love you. I also missed celebrating Camp IAWAH’s 70th anniversary of camping ministry. Oh, how many summers our boys were campers at IAWAH - and then - served as staff members. Now some of my grandchildren are attending IAWAH each summer.

But there are things I didn’t miss.

I didn’t miss my grand-daughter’s visit to Kincardine in late June/early July. Talia messaged me way back in March to book her stay at the lake with Harv and I. Tali made sure she didn’t accept any babysitting jobs for those 5 days. We made the most of that week - we hung out at the beach - we went to the theatre - we went swimming after dark - we got our nails done (well, Tali did) - we walked the beach - we talked about life - we shared secrets and hopes and dreams.

I didn’t miss my grandson’s visit to Kincardine the week following his sister’s time here. Talia headed home on a Sunday after church and Tyson arrived a few hours later. The weather was perfect for the first week of July and we enjoyed it to the fullest. We spent every morning at SUMMER BLAST - the kid’s camp run by my church - The Harbour. Tyson loved every minute of it. Then we spent the afternoons at the beach - riding the waves - playing in the sand - wrestling on the Lily pad with his friends and cousins - walking the beach - reading - and snacking. We spent an afternoon at Family Funland - go-karting and mini golfing. All too soon the week was over and Tyson headed home.

I didn’t miss my grand-daughter’s first venture into selling her wares at the end of our driveway. Adele and Indigo had spent many hours making bracelets and one morning Indy asked if she could set up shop on Boiler Beach. I wasn’t doing anything else - so of course - I said 100% yes. We prepped what she would say when cars stopped - when customers asked about the bracelets - making sure to make eye contact and smile! Cars stopped! Bicycles stopped! Walkers and runners, alike, stopped as well. In 45 minutes Indy had made $67 - to be shared with her sister. My cup was overflowing with joy at the kindness and love of strangers who encouraged a little girl at her first attempt at entrepreneurship.

I didn’t miss an impromptu visit with my niece - Jenny - and her hubby and three kids. They were in the area camping and called to see if they could stop by. Sure could. We were home. It was an amazing three hours of visiting and getting caught up - seeing her three beautiful children and hubby. She brought me so much joy that day by reaching out. They could have just driven by. They could have planned to get home quickly after a week of camping but they didn’t. They chose to stop in at their auntie’s. They gave me a great gift that Saturday - a visit from family.

I didn’t miss Jolliffe camp - 2026 - the fifteenth one! Jolliffe camp began in 2011 - when the first three grandchildren were born - we combined with the Castle family reunion that first year but by 2012 - it was full blown J camp. Randy and I desired time with the grands - cousins having the opportunity to get to know each other better and better as the years passed. We also wanted to give our three married sons and their wives the chance to have a couple of days and nights alone - without their kids. We had two camps - 2012 and 2013 - as such! Randy’s passing in 2014 changed Jolliffe camp. Now we all gather together for a couple of days for games and fun and food - time - precious time - as a family. This year was no different. I’m so grateful for my kids and grandkids. They bring me so much joy.

I didn’t miss hosting one of our church’s summer parties. We gathered for an evening of Mediterranean food and friendship and fellowship. So many laughs.

I didn’t miss hosting a bbq for friends who went on the same bike and barge trip we had taken a few years ago. We gathered together to reminisce and compare notes.

I didn’t miss Harv’s family gathering - the girls and their hubbies and kids - lunch out at the Bruce and then an afternoon at the beach.

I didn’t miss a day trip to Toronto with my friend - Julie. It was filled with adventures and fun and lunch and the highlight was watching Mama Mia on stage.

I didn’t miss hosting our Costa Rica missions team for lunch and the time to reflect of our time spent there.

I didn’t miss a day in Westport with most of my siblings and their spouses.

I didn’t miss a trip to Ottawa and the opportunity to take these three to Spiderman! (I might have had my eyes closed for some of the movie).

I didn’t miss tasting some yummy ice cream from the Merry Dairy!

I didn’t miss hosting some friends for a pot luck breakfast.

So there you go! The summer of 2026 was different but it was good.

It was the great C.S.Lewis who wrote a short piece called “Interruptions!” It goes like this. “The great thing, if one can - is to stop regarding the unpleasant things as interruptions of one’s ‘real life.’ The truth is, of course, that what one calls the interruptions are precisely one’s ‘real’ life - the life God is sending day by day - what one calls one’s ‘real’ life is a phantom of one’s own imagination.”

You could say - my life was “interrupted” this summer with my thumb surgeries - and yet - the words of Lewis resonate in my heart. My ‘real’ life happened this summer. Oh yes! Big time!