21st
Day 14 - Jamie Groves
Through my association with Muskoka Woods I have come to know Bob Groves, the father of a great young man Jamie Groves. Today team 2 dedicated our ride to Jamie Groves, his hockey jersey number 15 and the Groves Family.
Today turned out to be one of our best riding days. We started in Riviere du Bleue in North east Quebec crossing over into New Brunswick, we rode 224 KM’s through the beautiful hills and farmland along the Saint John River to Florenceville.
Before we headed out on our ride today I stood in the early mist and shared Jamies story with my team mates and our great volunteers and suuport crew. While on a family vacation in Florida in 1994 Jamie collapsed and was immediately taken to hospital. The test results revealed prolific cancer around his heart and lungs. The family arranged to have Jamie moved back to Canada to Princess Margaret Hospital where his battle with cancer began. A significant part of the battle involved activities to help Jamie make meaning of the cancer, the irony was that he would be the one who helped everyone elde make meaning of it.
Working with a Pastor and close family friend, John McAuley, Jamie would process the pain and difficulty of what was happening with friends and family. Both his brother Mark and father Bob will tell you of what an incredible gift of strength and faith Jamie was to them through his battle. John McAuley asked Jamie during a special conversation “Jamie, why do you think God has allowed you to have cancer?” Jamie quickly responded, “I have cancer so that my family and friends will come to know and accept God’s Love and if that happens I will have lived a fulfilled life!” Stunned, John responded “fulfilled?” To which Jamie responded “completely fulfilled.” The response and model of strength and faith has humbled and inspired all who knew Jamie and those of us who have heard his story.
Muskoka Woods , an organization dedicated to youth development, started a scholarship fund in Jamie’s name for exceptional staff members (Jamie loved Muskoka Woods and always aspired to be on staff on day). With his family’s permission and support they tell jamie’s story to the staff every year.
In preparing this dedication a good friend of mine, Neil McRuer, shared with me some of his memories of Jamie. On one ocassion Neil took jamie, his father Bob and brothers to a golf fundraiser tourny. Jamie had received a set of golf clubs from Tom Lehman (PGA Pro) from the President’s Cup. Jamie was quite weak and everyone anticipated he would just putt. But, he hit every tee shot and fairway shot up until the 16th. He wanted to hit that setof clubs! Neil said he will never forget Jamie’s tenacity and determination that day.
Jamie passed away July 3, 1995 after a courageous battle with cancer.
Today we rode hard and strong, with tenacity and determination ….for Jamie!
God Bless.
