My Goodbye to Canada's Mum

When I read the news (on Facebook, where most news is gathered now) that Betty Fox was in hospice, I cried. Canada's mum was dying. It seemed so unfair.

When I read the news that she had passed away, I cried. A lot.

Terry, the foundation named after him, his family, and especially his mother, have a very special place in my heart.

I've never really been able to put into words my intense feelings for Terry Fox and the Terry Fox Foundation. I was only a baby when Terry died. I didn't learn about him until I was around 10 years old. I didn't really pay much attention until I was in university.

But, for some reason I started to study Terry. I've spent countless hours learning about Terry's life. I own books, memorabilia, coins, and shoes. I've watched made for TV movies, news broadcasts, and documentaries. I've even downloaded a Rod Stewart song. All because it was associated with Terry.

Maybe this is why I care so much:

Every day, for 142 days, Terry ran the equivalent of a marathon.

He ran 5,373 kilometres.

On one leg.

Or maybe this:

Terry changed how most Canadians looked at cancer. Apparently, when he started his run, most people referred to cancer as, "the Big C." No one wanted to call it what it was out loud for fear of getting it, or passing it on. When Terry was forced to end his run in Thunder Bay because his cancer came back, Canadians started to give. By then, people were calling cancer what it was...out loud. People weren't afraid. They were motivated. Something needed to be done. Money needed to be raised. Hurting needed to stop.

Or this?

To date, the Terry Fox Foundation has raised over $550 million for cancer research.

No. It's this:

I met Betty once, when she was in town to celebrate the unveiling of the statue at Mile 0. I had her attention, just me and her, for about 3 minutes. She was in the Palm Court at The Fairmont Empress, waiting for the introduction to the Crystal Ballroom where she was going to be honoured by Victoria and its citizens.

The first thing that happened was that I shook her hand. Then I teared up. Then I said how glad I was that I was able to meet her and how much her commitment and Terry's run had impacted how I lived my life.

Betty told me that she was thankful for the kind words and that, "today has been an incredibly tough day for me. But, with young people caring as much as you do, I know that what I'm doing is worth it."

Rest in Peace, Betty. You're with Terry now.

It's our turn to keep running.

Go...Canucks!?

Well, it took a while, but my mum won.

I'm actually going to root, cheer, and hope for the Canucks. To note: this post comes post-playoff loss and post-riot.

But, a few weeks ago, we went to Vancouver (to see Wicked -- am-ah-zing!) and got caught up in the post-show, post-game crowds on Granville Street. Vancouver had won game two in overtime.

The goal was scored about two minutes before the show was set to begin and the entire audience inside the Queen Elizabeth Theatre erupted into a roar and cacophony of cheers and whistles. One friend (to remain anonymous) thought it was that the show was beginning. I still giggle when I think about that.

After the game, walking down Granville through the jubilant, beer-fuelled crowd, I started to feel this little sensation inside me.

I actually wanted the Canucks to win, AND I cared about it. My mum has been cheering for the Canucks for years, so I know she is happy I'm going to support them. I'm actually happy too. I've followed the Patriots for years, and I'm kind of lonely this far from Boston. I used to watch and cheer for the Leafs before the lockout (when I decided hockey was a tad...shall we say...boring).

Now, I'm in Victoria, close to Vancouver, cheering for a team that most people around me LOVE.

Call it mob mentality...actually DON'T! Please!

Whatever that little feeling was has grown. Next year, like 40 years previous, the Canucks will take a run for the cup. I'll be there, trying to stay involved and engaged, cheering for them.

So...

Go Canucks go! (Go Patriots, too!).