Sometimes I cry when I run.

I don’t mean that I go out and bawl my eyes out. Sometimes my eyes well up and an occasional single tear will fall from my eye. Like on yesterday’s run. I decided to book it and do a powersong 8K to gear up for tomorrow’s Harry’s Spring Run Off. During my run, after running one kilometer past one of my best friends from kindergarten’s house, I remembered that the anniversary of the death of her aunt Tina (we like to call her Tinie) was coming up. Tin was crossing the street at a busy intersection on April 13th, 2010 and was hit by a transport truck who was making a right turn and didn’t see her. She died instantly.

There is just something about turning on the news and seeing that someone you have known pretty much your entire life and learning at that moment that they have left the world in such a sudden way- it’s heartbreaking.

Tinie was only 67 years young and lived life to it’s fullest. She has travelled all over the world and gave back by volunteering and being an active mission participant in India. At the funeral, a letter was sent from India that from a woman who Tin helped. The woman had a child after hearing of Tin’s passing and named her Tina, after Tinie. I knew how much Tin has touched the hearts of others but to hear that story was just put the ribbon on how much she meant to everyone around her. She was and I am sure she still is a marvelous woman.

Tinie’s famous quotes were, “Does it get any better?!” and “Seize the moment, life is short.” She was always laughing and making everyone laugh around her. One of my favourite pictures is when Tin wanted to do a Glamour Shots photo shoot. Yes, think of Napoleon Dynamite. I mean seriously, how amazing is this portrait:

I wish I had the original but this one will do just fabulously for now.

My run had tears of joy. Just the thought that I got to live my life with such a sparkling woman was a happy thought. I say sparkles as in crystals, sequins, and anything that shines– Tinie loved it all. For the funeral we all wore a little bit of sparkle- we know she loved it. And the best part was, we didn’t even talk about wearing sparkle, we just all knew Tin would love it.

I decided I will be dedicating my run tomorrow to Tin. Not only are we getting to her anniversary but the run takes place in High Park in Toronto where Tin spent years on the High Park Tennis Club. What a perfect location. So, I will wear something that sparkles and think of this funny, loving and outgoing lady as I run with her glamour shot portrait in my mind.