As fans we believe in our team. Our undying, unwavering devotion instills belief and despite obstacles or outside influences that negatively impact our team suggesting trouble ahead, we continue to have faith guided by the lofty wings of hope.
By definition faith is a firm belief in something for which there is no proof.
Think about that for a moment…
Throughout our formative years as we progress through the various levels of education, we are taught deductive reasoning, encouraged to think logically and reach rational conclusions supported by evidence.
All of these things fly in the face of faith.
Recently I lost a dear friend and I’m left with faith and with memories to curb my sadness. Her loss is extremely painful.
Interestingly I’ve only had the pleasure of knowing Janine for 2 ½ years, clearly not enough time to feel the devastating loss that I feel under ordinary circumstances but for those who are fortunate enough to have known her, Janine Tolley was anything but ordinary.
This wonderful wife, mother, daughter, sister, aunt and friend courageously fought a monster called cancer. As a woman committed to fitness and nutrition, she refused to yield to its destructive powers without a fight, one that the monster eventually won. During her final days after a 10 month bout she was faced with a choice to sustain her life artificially to perhaps buy some time to discover other weapons with which to slay this monster or continue on without the support.
She refused to be dependent upon machines.
In life Janine was so many wonderful things: beautiful, kind, engaging, inviting, energetic, soulful, playful, magnetic, charming, unpretentious, humble and loving. She was the person EVERYONE should aspire to be and she made the world a better place.
The passing of this supremely fit in mind, body and soul woman is a real head scratcher and it challenges your faith. Why would our Maker take away something so beautiful at the tender age of 51 when she SO enriched the lives of all she touched?
Perhaps there was a Janine in your life…
I know this, I am a better man having known and loved Janine for those 2 ½ years and I will be forever thankful for my time with her and allow that to overpower the sorrow I bear because that time has ended – at least in this form of consciousness.
My memories of her will live on and I pray that her lessons by example will resonate and guide me towards being half the person she was.
And she was extraordinary.
Cancer may have stripped you of your physical abilities Janine but it will never take away that hopeful mind, radiant soul and your selfless and mammoth heart.
