The gap in publishing mid-decade was brought about by her continual spinal problems, which had been masked by the migraine pain that was her constant companion.  The spinal problems finally required surgery that fused much of her lower spine. A few years after this surgery Margaret’s arthritis reemerged, particularly in her back.  The arthritis that returned soon began to be debilitating and brought an increased level of suffering for Margaret.  With this she began to write Grace Grows Best in Winter, published in 1972.  She did not write this book as C.S. Lewis had in the Problem of Pain, with philosophical arguments, but as he had in A Grief Observed; as a “cry of human anguish which only faith could assuage.”  Margaret’s pain became so severe that she retired from teaching in 1973 at the age of 58.
 
At this time Margaret sold her Toronto home and moved to the suburbs, where she lived quietly and happily in Willowdale, Ontario.  Though still plagued by pain, Margaret had learned early in life that during “long hours of solitude and weakness, repeating hymns and Scriptures…could help…withstand the ravages of pain.”  Throughout her life she learned to seek solace in Christ, the scriptures, hymnody, and the “gentle ministry of the Holy Spirit.”  During her retirement, Margaret was able to take occasional courses at Regent College in Vancouver and attended lectures in theology at Ontario Theological College in Toronto.