Friday, February 19, 2010

Lovely Linda

My good friend Linda, mother of two under two, was recently diagnosed with breast cancer.  On the eve of her second surgery in ten days she sent a few friends an email in which she expressed fear for the future and frustration at her inability to care for her daughters.  I replied to her letter.  


Linda,
First up, I want you to know that I'm indeed honoured to be included on your distribution list.  It tells me you value my friendship and that alone makes my day.  Thank you.  
Second, having run a few marathons I have become a firm believer in the power of positive energy.  The last few miles is incredibly painful and deeply emotional.  It is only the power of positive energy that provides the strength to cross the finish line.  The last six miles of any marathon is littered with runners who, for one reason or another, have lost the spark.  They depended upon their legs to carry them over the line when in fact it's the spirit that's needed.  Without the spark, they fade and give up.  My apologies for the cheesy marathon metaphor but it allows me to imagine, if only a teeny bit, your state of mind and your challenge.
Linda, you need to know that as you were wheeled in for your previous surgery, your good friends were channelling their love and their spirit your way.  The sky was thick with vibrant pink clouds of positive energy churning and swirling.   There was no official "stop everything and focus" but everyone knew.  The discreet chatting, the glances between friends, the emails, the tears, the wringing of hands, the silent prayers... all of us were focusing our love to you.
Tomorrow this will be repeated.  Our thoughts, our prayers, and our concern will shower upon you like a typhoon as you are wheeled in to the O.R.  We are there for you Linda.  Think of us as we think of you.
Get well Lovely Linda, your family needs you back at the tiller, we need you back in our midst.
M

The Winnipeg Police Half Marathon is on Sunday, May 2, 2010.  All money raised is donated to the Canadian Cancer Society.  I plan on running for Lovely Linda.  For whom will you run?


It's a good day to be alive.  :>)  

2 comments:

LJM said...

Beautiful letter Mike, you have a way with words my friend.
Laura

Jen said...

That was a very touching letter. It makes a marathon a bit easier to run if you have a reason behind it other than just a PR.
"doing the salt" is those little salt packets from restaurants. I inked to an article in my blog. He believes they are absorbed better than salt tablets and go to work much faster. But you'll have to check it out and see what you think.