I had lunch with a friend, who is friends of the parents of the injured hockey player Jack Jablonski.

She tearily asked me why the public seems to be having such a strong reaction to the situation, whether they know the family or not.

I believe it is because life can change in an instant, but isn’t generally as tangible as a teenager facing paralysis for the rest of his life.  A lot of people are struggling but it isn’t physically evident.  In the past year, I’ve lost several people to cancer and to suicide.

It was a reminder:  “Be kind, because everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.” – Plato

I pray for a miracle for Jack to be able to walk and not only for him, but also for the boys who checked him to have peace.  I also pray for a miracle, as it would do this cynical world some good to believe in miracles.

Death seems to be punching me in the nose a lot this year.  I’ve been steeling myself all day and fighting off tears as I prepare for attending another Memorial Service tomorrow.  And while loss gives me a heavy heart, it also reminds me to live my life with compassion for others.  None of us know what the other person endures to get through his or her day.

Senator Walter Mondale wrote me a congratulations letter  when I was naturalized as an American citizen. Ever since then, I’ve always felt a connection with his family.   My thoughts and prayers are with the Mondale family as they grieve the loss of their daughter, sister, wife, Eleanor Mondale.

I’d only met her a couple of times and did not know her well, but it was enough time to learn that she was a woman who loved life. A quick wit that was accentuated by her large laugh. I did not see her in the past five or six years and did not know her after her diagnosis with brain cancer.  I know the physical effects are challenging, but it is the emotional and mental impact that is most devastating. As much as is known about brain cancer, we’re still frustratingly mystified by it. 

I’ll admit, it took me the past two days to allow myself to think about Eleanor passing and when I did allow myself to think about it, I cried for her.  Brain cancer often times causes a change in personality, loss of memory, less control over emotions, diminished brain function…affecting the very core of who a person is.

It doesn’t seem appropriate to tell a person with such a big personality to rest in peace, so instead, Eleanor, I’d like to believe you’re cracking jokes with the big guy and offering levity when He shakes His head at the crazy creatures he created called human beings.

To contribute to brain tumor research, consider attending or contributing to the 8th Annual Humor to Fight the Tumor on September 24, 2011.