Psalm 139:13-16 “For You formed my inward parts; You knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are Your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from You, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them - the days that were formed for me - when as yet there was none of them.”

Birthdays! I’ve had a few! I’m in the middle of completing my 66th trip around the sun.

I’m told that I was born on a Sunday afternoon around teatime - January 26, 1958 - the 9th child of Stan and Alice Castle - 13 Elm Street, Cornwall, Ontario. After eight babies, my Mom knew I would be coming soon, so she had prepared the house to run smoothly for the week she would be in the hospital.

They say that when I arrived home about 7 days after my birth, my older siblings were waiting with excitement. My Gramma Castle was “holding down the fort” and gave instructions “not to get too close to the new baby and breathe germs on her!” I followed 5 brothers and 3 sisters! There was a buzz about the house that winter. From the earliest of ages - I knew I was loved and yes - a wee bit spoiled. My Mom used to tell me that my big brother - Bob - who was 15 at the time - used to come home from school and pick me up out of the cradle or carriage, lean his face into my peach fuzz head and proclaim - “she smells so good!”

I don’t remember my first birthday but I’ve seen a picture or two of that day. Everyone was around the table - all my siblings - my parents - and probably a few others! My Mom always made the same kind of double layer birthday cake with special boiled icing - and always - always - put coins in the cake. The picture of my first birthday has me in my high chair with icing all over my face! I’m sure I thoroughly enjoyed it.

While I don’t remember that first birthday celebration - I do remember my 16th. It was a Saturday. Unbeknownst to me, my friends from church were planning a surprise party for me that evening as part of our youth group get-together. Let me backtrack a few days. My Mom was having some physical issues at that time so she had gone to Kingston to have those issues checked out - it would involve minor surgery. The results were in and she called Dad and I on that Saturday afternoon - to say happy birthday to me - but also to tell Dad that her results were not what they were hoping for. Mom had cancer and was scheduled for surgery on the Monday morning. I was terrified. A cancer diagnosis is terrifying - and it was certainly terrifying - on that 16th birthday Saturday in 1974. I didn’t want to go to youth group that night and my dad had to tell me that my friends were having a birthday celebration for me. My parents really encouraged me to go - which I did! My friends had presents and a cake and really blessed my heart that night and in spite of the circumstances, I had a great evening. As we all know - my Mom had the surgery - and was a cancer survivor - for the next 46 years. Mom lived past her 100th birthday and passed away in our home 15 minutes to midnight - January 25th - however, she was pronounced “passed away” on January 26th (my birthday). Her longing for Heaven and her faith made sight - was the best birthday gift ever.

The years passed by! All of a sudden I was 21 and a young bride. I turned 24 - eleven days after Zac was born - I was 25 when Ben was born and 26 - when Pete was born. My twenties were spent caring for our young family. I had birthdays but just celebrated with Randy and the boys. All of a sudden I turned thirty and those years continued to be busy with all the boys in school and me - teaching piano and voice lessons - and helping Randy in our ministry in Listowel. My thirties were mostly full of life and joy.

But in July of 1994 our family was shocked by the sudden death of my brother, Tim. He was 39 and drowned in a canoeing accident near Red Lake, Ontario. We got the call late on a Sunday night. Randy answered the phone and I knew right away something dreadful had happened. We learned that Tim had been on a weekend trip with his son, our nephew, and they decided to have a bit of fun by shooting some small rapids before heading home. They emptied their canoe and were maneuvering through the rapids when the white water tipped them out. They both had their life jackets on and our nephew swam to shore. Tim decided to guide the canoe through the rocks so it wouldn’t get damaged. The canoe got caught on some rocks, turned upside-down and somehow Tim was pinned underneath. The canoe wouldn’t give way and Tim’s faith became sight that very afternoon. He was safe in the arms of His Saviour. Our nephew told us later that on the Saturday night as they lay under the velvety northern sky - filled with stars - Tim talked to him about heaven and being ready to meet God at any time. Little did they realize it would happen for Tim the very next day.
Psalm 90:12 “Teach us to number our days that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” It is thirty years this summer that Tim went Home to be with His Lord and Saviour.

My fortieth birthday was memorable and a lot of fun. My friends arranged with Randy to arrive at our house at 6:45 - in the morning. They woke me up and all of us - in our pj’s - went to the restaurant for breakfast. They had gifts and flowers for me. Dad took us all out for supper to cap off a great day.

I didn’t mind turning 40! We were in a great place. The boys were well into their teenage years - busy at school, sports, youth group, going to camp, and part time jobs. Our home was always buzzing with teenagers. So many trips to the grocery store. So many games’ nights! So many jam sessions in the basement with drums and guitars. Cheering at basketball, football, rugby, soccer, ultimate frisbee and any other games that were going on. Many trips were made down the 401 to Camp Iawah. One summer I drove that 401 trip - there and back - at least 7 times. My heart was full. Each birthday was marked by good food, good times and good friends.

As was my fiftieth birthday - memorable. It was the year that Pete and Heather were teaching in South Korea. Randy had arranged for Zac and Tracy and Ben and Jen and Ken and Bren and my Mom to be with us for a special dinner at a restaurant. (I thought it was lovely but maybe a bit disappointed he didn’t throw a big party for me! I didn’t say a word though.) After dinner was over - Randy said we would have dessert at home. We were living in the condo then and I didn’t even think twice when he dropped us at the front door. While we had been dining - my friends from church came over to the condo - decorated it - brought desserts of every kind - presents and flowers and the celebrations continued. I felt loved and appreciated by my family and friends that night.

Fun fact! I used to send my mom flowers on my birthday - to thank her for having me, raising me and loving me.

Although, I turned 65 last year, I will mark that milestone by walking part of the Camino trail in Spain this summer - with my sons.

My birthdays continue to come and go. I love getting phone calls from the kids and my sisters and brothers and friends. I’m not sure I’ll live to 100 as my Mom did - but if I do - I will live wisely and well - enjoy my family and friends - love Christ and serve Him until I close my eyes in this life and open them in the next - safe in His arms.