Mighty Member since March 2018
My name is Penny Castle. I live in Johannesburg with my husband, Shannon and two teenage sons, Joshua and Christopher. I started a blog (mygarencrush.com) in November 2016 with the intention of documenting my adventures in growing veggies. I wanted to share my stories about the garden, happiness and to do a little boasting about my younger son, Chris, and all the useful garden structures he builds for me. On the 21 January 2017 all that was forgotten. My elder son, Joshua, was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive cancer: cholangiocarcinoma. He was initially given 60 days to live and was sent home to enjoy what little time he had. He died on 18 January 2018. Cancer has changed our lives in ways we couldn’t have imagined. Aged just fourteen Josh had to face his own mortality. He had to manage the indignities of an illness which left him nauseous, low in energy and frequently in pain. Chris started high school in January 2017 just two weeks before his big brother was diagnosed. If I am honest he hasn’t had nearly the support from us as he deserved. Not every change has been bad. As Josh put it, “If I survive, I wont be sad I got cancer. I’ve learnt so much about myself and about people.” He didn't survive but did inspire many, many people with his fortitude and good humour and wisdom. Cancer taught us too eek out every moment and to enjoy slower, simpler pleasures. We are better people for it. Our lives have had to change and so did my writing.. These days I write about happiness and cancer and hope. And despair. And grief. And hope again.