tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3266835.post-46680976435589092552007-06-13T10:49:00.000-07:002007-06-13T11:53:01.800-07:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.fergusson.net/uploaded_images/mom_at_sea-740227.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://www.fergusson.net/uploaded_images/mom_at_sea-740225.jpg" border="0" alt="Jill Alexander" title="Mom"/></a>For the most part, I've been focusing this blog on my professional interests, but today I make an exception. I've lost a young cousin, an Aunt, and an Uncle to cancer, and an older cousin<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.fergusson.net/uploaded_images/ruth-in-candlelight-726699.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://www.fergusson.net/uploaded_images/ruth-in-candlelight-726693.jpg" border="0" alt="My cousin Ruth" title="My cousin Ruth"/></a> is fighting hard today. This is not a sad story though, but a story of empowerment and inspiration: My mother, Jill Alexander (turning 70 on her next birthday), is training hard to run a marathon in October to raise money for Leukemia and Lymphoma research (the cancer that took little Tommy and Aunt Arlene from us). She has a <a href="http://www.active.com/donate/tntvan/Jill">website</a> where she's keeping a training log, and accepting donations. I hope you will visit, and consider making a donation. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.fergusson.net/uploaded_images/Jill-and-Michael---beach-swing-703514.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://www.fergusson.net/uploaded_images/Jill-and-Michael---beach-swing-703505.jpg" border="0" title="My Mom and I on the beach near where I grew up" alt="My Mom and I on the beach near where I grew up"/></a>I should say a little about my Mom: My Mother is the great inspiration of my life. With all the challenges that come with being a single mother of two small boys, she grew a business from nothing into a beautiful day spa and health centre. She worked hard so we never felt that we lacked for anything that truly mattered. I remember her greeting customers and employees alike with a hug and loving kindness. Losing her brother and sister-in-law, whom she dearly loved, and burying baby Tommy would be a terrible burden for anybody, but she has turned the pain of her loss into a positive will to do good. Those who know my mother well will tell you that this is how she lives her life: with love, and to the fullest she knows how.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3266835-4668097643558909255?l=homeiswhereyouwearyourat.blogspot.com'/></div>Fergussonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13187356190509785445noreply@blogger.com3