Margaret Brookes of Kettleby

Margaret of Kettleby has died. I received the call as I was preparing to leave for Council on Tuesday evening. I'd been expecting it. Though it wasn't a surprise, I thought, if I carry on as usual. it will be a day like any other.

It wasn't.

Margaret has been a good and constant friend for forty-five years. We raised our children to-gether. Lakeside picnics in summer, Christmas and Thanksgiving Feasts. I was expecting Heather when we met. Now Heather and Margaret's son Andy, are parents of four . They found each other. Margaret and I were grandmothers- in- law.

All my grandchildren have known the affection and interest of Margaret and Doug throughout their lives.

When our kids were raised, we took a few memorable trips together. Quebec City, Vermont, New Hampshire, Bar Harbour to Nova Scotia and Cape Breton and San Francisco.

My single casino visit was on the ferry crossing from Nova Scotia to Bar Harbour.

We each allocated a specific sum to play the one-armed bandits. Afterwards we hung on the boat rail to feel the ocean wind on our faces. Wholesome stuff like that. A jangle of bells and a mighty cheer would erupt from the casino. Our heads would slowly turn to look at each other and without a word between us, we'd rush back to the casino with more quarters.

Our times together were a return to girlhood. We laughed till the tears came. The silliest things struck hilarious.

Now Margaret's journey is over. When the end is long, one realises, there are worse things than dying. The end of suffering is a blessed release.

We will grieve. Every day the sorrow will be a little less. Life goes on. Something new is discovered.. When a person's life has been a part of yours for a lifetime, they never really leave.

For the rest of your journey, they walk beside you, you hear their voice and most of all their laughter.