June 20, 2011
I know this isn't a political post, but I felt it necessary to share.
As you've likely already heard Betty Fox, Terry Fox's mother, passed away on Friday.
When I heard the news, I was heart-broken. That took me by surprise; while I participate in fundraising efforts for the Canadian Cancer Society, I've not participated in the Terry Fox Run since high school. I didn't know this woman and while I was certainly very much aware of what her son set out to do, and the work she did following his passing, I couldn't figure out what it was about hearing the news that put me in the mood it did.
It dawned on me today: Betty Fox is an average Canadian. Now, that doesn't make sense, does it?
Let me put it this way: almost every single Canadian has either faced cancer or had someone in their family face it. Betty Fox dealt with having a family member battle cancer and saw them lose that battle. To put it another way, Betty Fox personified every single Canadian and handled herself with a dignity and class that not many others can live up to.
It didn't hit me until after reflecting on it a bit, but Betty Fox is an inspiration to Canadians. Her dedication to her son, her family and to the fight against cancer is something that I have nothing but respect and admiration for. While I cannot put it as classy as many others have been, let me borrow the words of London-area MP Ed Holder, who in the House of Commons today said that for Betty, her Marathon of Hope is over. It is up to the rest of us to continue on with the fight.
May she rest in peace.
No comments:
Post a Comment