Well, the three of us are on our way to pick up the truck and Van from the Peterborough OPP detachment. Then we are off to Whitby, to say good by to Const. Greg Bell and welcome Srgt. Harry Carrigan.
We had pulled over onto the side of the 401 and said our goodbyes to Greg. I know that if I am ever in Ottawa, I have a friend that I can call on. I look forward to keeping in touch with Greg and his family.
We waited for about a 1/2 hour for Harry to arrive after meeting Greg and receive the cruiser. I had already spoken with Harry several times so it was really good to meet him in person. What a nice man and what a perfect send off for his retirement. Harry had spent a couple of hours with Terry back in 1980 and I cannot think of a better way to finish off the last 3 weeks of his career, than escorting Terry's Van 28 years later.
Today is my last day with the Van and we are off to a BBQ at the ScotiaMcleod Office in Markham.
When we arrived, we could not believe the amount of people. They had enough hamburgers for 400 people and had to go and get more buns. Someone had a great idea to use the big water coolers for donations. It didn't take long for the bottle to fill after people in the local businesses came for lunch to to see Terry's Van.
I was touched by an older gentleman that had come out. I didn't notice him until he was leaving. He was an amputee and it was a bit staggering for me when I saw him walking away on crutches. Again memories of Terry came rushing forward. I am sorry I don't remember his name, but it was wonderful to talk with him and his wife.
I met Glemena, a long time Terry fan. She had photo's of Terry that I have never seen, dozens. Posing shots, candid shots, running shots, joking around shots. They were just incredible. Glemena has raised a large amount of money for cancer research, starting back when Terry was still in Newfoundland.
I look forward to meeting her again in the future. Thank you for sharing your album with me Glemena.
The BBQ was great, as was the silent auction ScotiaMcLeod put on. The event finished right in time for huge rain clouds to roll in! Thank you to organizer Jan Thompson, it was wonderful to meet you and all of your staff, thank you for everything.
This was a magnificent end to my leg of the Tour of Hope.
It's with mixed emotions that I leave for home. To be able to be part of the Tour of Hope, to share a part of Terry and to be able to thank all the people who encouraged him and took him in along the way is both overwhelming and marvelous.
I have spoken with dozens of people who met Terry along his Marathon of Hope and by them sharing their stories with me, it has made my memories of Terry's stronger.
The Van has given us a vehicle to travel back to 1980. We remember the story of Terry and his selfless journey, that is evident by the amazing support and participation in the Community Runs, National School Runs and Terry Fox Works events and now the Tour of Hope, not to mention the thousands of volunteers worldwide. We remember Terry then, but the Van takes us back. Back to following his progress,back to the feelings of pride and admiration we had for him. To the pure emotion, hope and inspiration he showed us all.
It was courage and determination that drove Terry to run his Marathon of Hope. He set an example for all of us to follow. I cannot put into words the pride and awe I feel to have had Terry as a brother.
Terry had said that if he dies, his spirit will live on. His spirit was with me through this whole amazing journey.
Thank you to Don for driving the truck and Van and for your constant companionship, to Greg for getting us safely to our events, for all of your help and support and to Harry for parading me all over Toronto so I could shower and gather my things and for driving me to the airport. I'm sure Darrell will be a little less maintenance.
To Terry, thank you for all that you have given and taught us, I am the most fortunate sister in the world.
Judith Fox-Alder
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