(Heather’s story is shared with her permission - in fact - she asked me to share her story in a blog).

We went shopping last Thursday. One of our favourite things to do together - besides racing and eating great food.

Heather and I met in the fall of 2008. Randy and I had sold our house in Hespeler (Cambridge) and moved to a real cool condo in downtown Galt (Cambridge). We were both big into running then, so we joined the Cambridge Harriers running group that ran out of Galt. That running group became some of our life long friends. The group ran Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 6:45 - 8:00 for training runs (hills and speed workouts) and on Saturday mornings for the long run (anywhere from 10 km to 25 km). It was in this running group, we first met Heather.

Early that fall, I arrived at running club ill prepared. It was cooler than I expected and my hands were cold. My new friend, Heather, offered me a pair of red gloves and then she told me to keep them. I kept them for many years. I wish I still had them. It was the first gift heather would give me but not the last.

From the beginning, Heather and I ran so many of the workouts together. We shared life. We chatted about everything. Randy teased Heather so much in those early days of friendship. He called her “shorty”. At first she didn’t know how to take his teasing but then came to understand his pastor’s heart. We all became fast friends.

At that time Randy and I were pastoring in Cambridge at the Warehouse Fellowship, which had recently transitioned into a Harvest Church. I invited Heather to our church and she said she would think about it. Then, one Sunday, out of the blue, Heather showed up at church! Wouldn’t you know it - I was sick at home with the flu that day and missed her. That didn’t deter her. For several Sundays, Heather attended our church. She was searching for truth. She was searching for grace and acceptance.

On a very stormy spring evening in 2009, Heather and I were the only ones who showed up for the training run. Our coach gave us the workout and then, he, (smart man) went home. After running for a bit - totally soaked to the bone - we decided to call it quits! Heather asked if she could come over to our condo to “chat”!

That’s an evening we’ll both never forget.

After some small talk - Heather got down to the real reason she wanted to come over! Having grown up in a family that attended a church very different from ours, she noticed the differences between the two. Heather said to me - “I want what you have - I want your faith!” She had never experienced what it was to have a personal faith. She wanted it in her own life.

Heather tells it this way! “Randy was up in the loft watching the Leafs and Martha called him to come down! Randy yells down that he was watching the Leafs and would come down at the end of the period! Martha yells back up the stairs and says Heather wants to have personal faith in Jesus! Randy was downstairs in seconds.” That night Heather’s life forever changed!

That same spring - Randy and I - experienced the termination of our pastoral duties at our church. Unexpected! Heartbreaking! Shocking! Heather didn’t understand what was going on. But, even in those early days of her young faith in God, she was a blessing and encouragement to us both.

We moved to Westport, Ontario, in May of that same year until things sorted themselves out and we would wait for the next step in our lives to happen. Would we go back into the pastoral ministry? Would we work in secular jobs? We waited and we prayed.

Many weekends throughout that summer and fall, Heather would make the long drive to Westport from Cambridge. One Saturday we went for a boat ride on the St. Lawrence River with some of my siblings - taking in the 1,000 islands.

Heather visited Randy and I several times during the year we lived in Westport. She was a great encouragement to us - she always brought cookies for us and treats for our dog, Maggie.

When we left Cambridge, we encouraged Heather to begin attending the church of friends of ours. The phone rang one evening and it was Heather. She had news. She had met someone at the church. His name was Pat. What should she do? How should she capture his attention? Over the next couple of years we watched their love grow for each other and I had the privilege of being Heather’s matron-of honour at their wedding.

Wasn’t Heather a beautiful bride. She wore her Mom’s wedding dress. We wore traditional kimonos over our dresses to honour Pat’s Asian culture and traditions.

No matter where I lived - Heather travelled to see me. I was her personal trainer for a number of years and she came to Westport, Everett and Kincardine for training. What fun we had together. We trained for several 5 kms, 10 kms, and half marathons and later on participated in the Kincardine triathlon together as well.

When Randy died in 2014, who was first on my doorstep with food, treats, and love? Heather! She drove all the way from Kitchener to drop off the goodies for us on that first morning after Randy’s passing. She just hugged me and shared some tears and hugs and went home.

When I told her a year and a half later that I had met Harvey - she was the first to send flowers and words of love and congratulations.

When my Mom came to live with us in November of 2020, you know who came to visit us. My Mom loved Heather and Heather loved my Mom. As usual, Heather arrived with gifts and chocolate and other treats for my Mom.

My Mom was quite interested in what was in the bag.

A few years ago Heather trained for a full marathon. She was diligent in her practice runs. She ate properly. She got herself a personal trainer in Kitchener and she completed the 42.2 km race. I was so proud of her. Only 2 percent of the population of the world completes a full marathon and she is in that 2 percent.

We were so excited the day Heather ran her full marathon. You go girl.

Late last summer and early in the fall, Heather experienced a drastic weight loss and other symptoms that led to appointments with doctors and the news was not what we hoped for. Heather has cancer. The initial diagnosis is always a huge shock. I drove to Kitchener to take her to one of her first appointments. We laughed so much about the length of the gown on her. It was massive on her tiny body. That first appointment was difficult and painful but always the smile, even if it was somewhat subdued on that day.

Lots of tests and appointments and treatments these past 6 months!

Most days, my “little sister” Heather is one of the most optimistic people I know. Even with tests and appointments and uncertainty - Heather is upbeat and positive. She knows she is in for a big fight with this disease and chooses to look at the bright side. She walks daily. She goes to the gym. She naps. She eats little bits at a time. She goes to church. She has coffee with family and friends. We text almost daily. She takes the pain in stride. She takes life right now - one day at a time - sometimes one hour at a time.

Daniel Luke Nelson wrote a poem called “Friendship”. It aptly describes the friendship Heather and I share.

Friendship is to trust. Friendship is having the kindness to help. Friendship is giving to each other without thinking. Friendship is being there when needed. Friendship is a smile that brightens each other’s day. Friendship is giving more than you expect to receive. Friendship is listening. Friendship is offering your opinion when the think you need to. Friendship is holding a hand for support. Friendship is lending your shoulder to cry on. Friendship stands the test of time. Friendship is not always easy. Friendship is hard to break apart. Friendship is unforgettable. Friendship is priceless. Friendship is to share joys and fears. Friendship is having someone to laugh with. Friendship is knowing they are there. Friendship is personal. Friendship is all these things and more. To have a true Friend is the best thing to achieve.

As Heather has walked through some difficult times with me, I’m walking with her right now. We’re in this together. She’s the little sister I never had. She’s my sweet friend. She’s a warrior princess. She never gives up.

Psalm 103 - “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His Holy Name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits….Who forgives all our sins and heals all our diseases……Who redeems our life from destruction……Who crowns us with lovingkindness and tender mercies. The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and plenteous in mercy. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great His mercy is toward them who love him. Bless the Lord, all His works in all places of His dominion. Bless the Lord, O my soul.”