Life’s journey takes positive turn

Life is a journey.

Nobody knows where the twists and turns of that journey will take them.

Some exciting stops will be made along the way. Some….not so nice.

When Margaret Colyn decided she needed to move into McNally House Hospice in 2012, for all intents and purposes, her family expected that stop to be her last on her personal journey.

But just when one thinks they have life all figured out, it throws a curve ball. The unexpected can happen and, in the case of Margaret, she is living proof of that.

What will follow here –– with excerpts in print and the full, original text on NewsNow’s website –– will be an account by Margaret’s husband, Bill.

The couple’s daughter, Sylvia Van Geest “edited it from ‘81-year-old immigrant style. It is too remarkable a story and heartfelt to edit down, so it presenting it in its entirety seemed in order.

Very important when reading this piece, as McNally House executive director Pam Blackwood notes, Margaret’s case is exceptional.

“This is not something that happens all the time,” said Blackwood of someone checking into McNally House for care at a time when it is expected to be their final days.

‘We celebrate when people leave here, but we do have to be careful of others here. In reality, it is very rare having happened only three times in our six years here.”

For Sylvia, she believes the story of her parents’ trials and tribulations would be of interest to community.

With Easter on the horizon, absolutely.

“In the last two years they have been through some extreme health challenges including a five-month hospice stay,” noted Sylvia.

“They are now both living happily in their apartment in Beamsville. The exceptional care my mom received in McNally House truly was miraculous!”

(the following link will open a new window with Bill Colyn’s article in PDF format)

Miracles still happen…

A chapter in the life of Margaret and Bill Colyn, 2012–14