Not Today

Gabe would not die today. At least not if she had a say.

Having reviewed dire medical labs, her family had made the excruciating decision to move her to comfort care, dialing back her comprehensive medical treatment.

But Gabe, who framed her own perspective on life each day, especially in her final days, had other intentions.

By her husband Justin’s account, she moved her body from lethal blood levels that left her unresponsive, to waking in the morning to order a Shake Shack burger, by summoning the strength and determination needed to scream “NOT TODAY” as she drifted off to sleep.

Honestly, I never knew what it meant to be “Brave Like Gabe.” It’s the name of her foundation that raises funds for cancer research, but I didn’t know what it really meant.

I’d known that Gabriele Grunewald had beaten back cancer. Multiple times. But having not followed her story closely I wasn’t clear on the essence of her bravery.

After all, all of Athletics requires bravery. The sport insists you submit your effort to the elements in order to put a performance on display. To arrive in the arena prepared you must summon strength repeatedly, continuously, such that each day builds incrementally on the last, to move yourself forward, agonizingly slowly, nearly imperceptibly, to form your body’s greatest ability.