The Terry Fox Run

Today was the Terry Fox run that is on the same day across Canada.

I was on the city bus a few weeks ago and I thought that I should do this event. I haven't done such a thing in a long time something like over 15 years ago. Anyway as soon as that thought came to me I knew who I would do it for. On November 24, 2006 I lost one of my grandmother's to Brain Cancer. She had previously had breast cancer, but she won that battle. We as a family did not have much warning with the Brain Cancer as she kept it to herself and only learned of it towards the end of her life. I remember the day before and day of so vividly. On November 23 my mom called me to tell me that I should come home after about a month of knowing she wasn't doing well. She said my grandma was getting worse and that it could be any say now. My dad picked me up from school in Cambridge to bring me back. My step dad had my mom contact me through my dad's cell to tell my dad to get off at the exit closest to my mom's house and my step dad would meet us there so I could go see my grandma right away. It was maybe 5 minutes before my step dad got there and we were headed up to Grimsby Memorial. Much of my step-dad's family was there as we visited with my grandma. Her breathing was garbbled and it actually sounded as though she had something in the back of her throat which made her breathing sound aweful. Visiting hours were almost over, but since my grandma was dying, her children were taking turns spending the night by her side. My Aunt Sherry was by her side this evening. I went to my dad's where I lived when I wasn't at school and he had just moved to the lower level of the house and this was my first time in the apartment. So I was organizing and unpacking for quite a while until the wee hours of the morning. I finally stopped and got ready for bed and then flopped on my bed and started to weep and pleaded to God for him to "Just take her, she's suffering." A few moments later I was fast asleep. The next day everyone was talking to me on the phone as normal and it wasn't until my step-dad picked me up and told me that she had died that night. Knowing the prayer that I said the night before I was relieved, but at the same time I wanted to know what time it was. She died within 10 minutes after my prayer. I later learned that my grandma woke up and my aunt was right at her side. My aunt craddled her and sang her Amazing Grace (her favourite) and this is when she passed from our presence. I have no doubt that this was an act of God. So almost five years later I dedicated this walk in memory of her.

I went at this walk alone. I registered, got sponsors, and walked it alone. Now some people have said to me that it would have been so much better to have someone with you doing it. Well in all honesty I'm glad I did it alone. I reflected a lot on memories of her and thinking of that night again which I hadn't done in a long time and I truly believe that God honours the glory I give him in that situation. |ll praise is due his name. Now as far as my sponsors are concerned "Thank you from the bottom of my heart!" This would not have been as meaningful without you. Here are some of the others I walked for...

Amanda - my co-worker
Melissa - friend's cousin
Violet - left us 2002 - Best friend's Nan
Rochelle - left us 2008 - same best friend's aunt
Penny - recently diagnosed - same best friend's mom
Lorraine - left us 2002
Pat - cousin
Pat - sister-in-law's grandma
Ben - sister-in-law's husband
I know I am missing many others, but this disease runs through everyone's life at some point.

Blessings,

Christina