I was part of a running group when we lived in Cambridge. We were called the Harriers and we ran Tuesday and Thursday evenings and Saturday mornings. Randy and I thoroughly enjoyed this group of runners and became close friends with many of them.

We joined the group in early fall and I was surprised one evening that the temperature had dipped and I wasn’t prepared. Cue - my new friend - HL - and her offer of a pair of red mini gloves to keep my hands warm. At the end of the evening, HL encouraged me to keep them. I had them for years.

I learned to run in all sorts of weather - some of those nights were perfect - warm - t-shirt weather! Other nights were dark - cold - snowy - rainy - bundle up kind of weather! Regardless - you would find 20 or 25 of us out there - warmup run through Galt - and then our Coach would give us our workout. Those running days were the best. Often times in the warm-up - HL and I would run side by side. We talked about a lot of things on those runs - emotions, family, jobs, love, faith and so much more.

Several months after our first few runs and the gift of those red mini gloves - HL- asked if she could come to my house to chat. I couldn’t even imagine what she wanted to talk about. HL knew that Randy and I pastored a local church in Cambridge at that time and as we had often chatted about faith - that’s exactly what was on her mind that evening. HL grew up in a church but that particular denomination did not encourage a personal commitment to God and with God. It was my privilege and honour to share the good news of Christ - about Christmas and Easter and faith - with HL that night. Her life changed completely. That evening cemented our own relationship and HL became my little sister in more ways than one.

Shortly after that night, Randy and I moved to Westport, Ontario. HL often came for weekends to see us - we ran together - we shopped - and - she loved spoiling our dog, Maggie. It was later that year that the phone rang one evening and HL said she had met someone…….she would become HC…..and asked me to be her matron-of-honour.

We went shopping in Toronto for our dresses - in Chinatown - as HL wanted to connect with her soon - to - be in-laws. When we walked in one of the stores, the attendant took one look at me and HL’s sister-in-law and commented that we were “too big” to shop in her store. We ended up buying amazing kimonos and wore them over black gowns.

HL became HC and our friendship continued to grow. It was my privilege to attend her baptism and stand up for her at her wedding.

HC has always lived in the Kitchenr/Waterloo/Cambridge area but no matter where I moved to - we always managed to visit at least once a month - all these years.

When Randy passed away in 2014, HC came to Everett once a week for the first several months - (pretending it was to workout and run) but I knew she wanted to bless me with her friendship. When I met Harv and told her I was getting married again, she was so excited for me. Once again, she has made countless trips to Kincardine - to hang out and shop in our beautiful downtown. We’ve spent endless hours sitting on the beach - sharing stories of marriage and fitness and faith - family and friends. A couple of years ago, I cheered HC as she ran her first full marathon in Toronto.

This fall - HC - was diagnosed with a difficult disease. My “little sister” is facing some hard days ahead but the God whom she trusted for her life all those years ago is the One whom she is leaning into these days like never before.

The Psalms are especially special and comforting…..Psalm 9:10 - “Those who know your Name will trust in You - for You, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek You.” Psalm 5:3 “In the morning, O Lord, You hear my voice, in the morning I lay my requests before You and wait in expectation.” Psalm 33:18 “But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear Him, on those whose hope is in His unfailing love.”

Never underestimate the power of sharing - especially if they happen to be - red mini gloves.

Love you HC.