The Highest Hurdle

  We’ve shared goals and plans

  We got engaged and married

  Yes, we found our man!

  Randy and Andy (or as I say, raggedy Andy!)

  Teammates, classmates, roommates and more

  Hunting buddies, basketball fans

  Need I say more?

  Yes, actually!

  It’s their roaring laughter and humor

  Connection to the core

  That warms our hearts

  It’s them together, we adore!

  Through babies and bottles

  Activities and sports

  We did it all

  With each other’s support

  Your words of wisdom

  And encouraging advice

  Has helped many through

  Life’s gripping vice

  You are an entrepreneur

  And athletic machine

  Frannie the Organic

  And inspiration Queen!

  ALS has never beat you, Fran

  You have fought more than well

  The lessons I have learned through you

  Have encouraged me to excel

  I have learned that life is surely a gift

  I only get one chance

  So, I thought, what will I do

  To make the most of my dance?

  I will love on others

  I will hug them tight

  Make them feel special

  With all my might

  I will be understanding and grateful

  Nonjudgmental and kind

  For this is the way you work, Fran

  Conscientious and refined

  I will care well for myself

  Eat well and work out

  Go on adventures

  And be proud of my route

  I will live out my passion

  To help change the world

  Speak heart to heart

  And give out life pearls

  I will be courageous and fight

  Through the good and the bad

  Have faith God is with Me

  No matter what is ahead

  You are an angel God’s

  Send to share in His message

  To live with passion and love

  And to rise above the wreckage

  You will always be close, Fran

  No matter where you are

  It goes without saying

  You are a shining star!

  —Paula

  Dear Mrs. Kolp,

  You are an inspiration. You are the strongest person I know. It amazes me how strong and kind you are despite the situation that you’ve been dealt. I know we haven’t known each other for long, but I am so happy to have been in a little part of your life. You inspire me to live life to the fullest and recognize the blessings that I have been given. I wear your bracelet every day not just to support you on this journey, but to also serve as a reminder to not take the simplest things for granted. It was a great honor to have you be my NHS sponsor and I just want to thank you again. You have given me a different outlook on life and I want to thank you for that, as well. I love you.

  Sincerely,

  David P.

  To MaryFran:

  The other day my daughter was trying to teach her one-and-a-half-year-old daughter how to talk. My daughter said, “Say, ‘Apple.’” And my granddaughter said, “Apple.” Then my daughter said, “Say, ‘Banana.’” And my granddaughter said, “Nana.” Next my daughter said, “Say, ‘Blueberry.’” And my granddaughter said, “Meow.” This made me think of you.

  I’m sure you’re wondering why this made me think of you. Isn’t it obvious? Just kidding. I’ll explain. Sometimes in life our Heavenly Father/Teacher gives us a one-on-one lesson with His undivided attention. And sometimes a lesson is as simple as “Say, ‘Apple.’” It’s simple and easy to understand and we don’t get it, no problem. Sometimes God’s lesson is more like,” Say, ‘Banana.’” We kind of get it. We try our best, but we don’t quite nail it. Thankfully, our Father/Teacher is patient with us.

  Then there are times when our Father/Teacher says, “Say, ‘Blueberry.’” At this point, some people begin to doubt the value of the lesson and even doubt the teacher himself. They decide they don’t want this challenge. They don’t want to learn this lesson. They don’t trust the teacher. They say, “Meow.” They back away from their lesson and their teacher. And sadly, they lose faith, never learning the depth and the width and the breadth of the love the teacher was hoping to impart with this particular lesson.

  Every life is full of apples and bananas from time to time. Remember what we are taught. We remember who our teacher is, and we go on through life hopefully learning our lessons and sharing the wisdom we gain. You, MaryFran, have been here and the mother of all blueberries. Blueberries so big, so complex, so incredibly unfair, nobody can blame you if you decide to throw your paws up in the air and say, “Meow.” Maybe even scratch up some furniture and pee on the couch a little, and I’m sure you have your moments of despair and anguish over all of this. And I’m sure there have been plenty times when you have struggled to understand how a loving Father/Teacher could possibly allow you such a challenge. We all have.

  But, MaryFran, I have to tell you it is because your faith has not been broken that the story about my granddaughter made me think of you. It is because your faith has rooted itself even deeper in God’s love for you, and His promise of everlasting life for you with Him and His kingdom that YOU have become OUR teacher. You are facing a challenge that would shake anyone’s faith to the core. But your faith has grown branches. Branches that have reached out and touched everyone around you and throughout our whole community. Through all the things that make you “you,” and most of all through your incredible faith in God the Father, Jesus Christ His Son, and the Holy Spirit, you, my friend, have taught us to ROAR!

  Thank you!

  —Jeanne Y.

  My Michigan Hero

  Have you ever had that one person who completely changed your life forever? I know a lot of people write about their moms, but I truly feel that she is the most important person in my life. Most kids do not face the things we do. My mom was diagnosed with a disease called ALS on her birthday, July 3, 2014. I have not thought about the fact it had on me until now. When I first heard about her diagnosis, I was a wreck for weeks. I would think, what will it be like to not have a mom? What will it be like to just have a dad? Why is it me? Even just thinking that, I know there is no cure for what breaks my heart. She has such a spirit and an amazing sense of humor. You would not even notice that she has the disease because she pretends it does not exist.

  She is still there for me wherever, even though she is so busy with all of her treatments that help her work on trying to heal. It’s like I’m a magnet and I pull her wherever I go, because she is always at my side. I know when she is there because I always get this warm feeling every day, like a lot of people do when they are with someone they love.

  She will be at every one of my games, cheering me on and keeping me pumped up, but one day I feel like I will look over at the stands and see that she is not there. I had a dream like that and I walk downstairs and told my mom it was just a nightmare, and just held her in my arms, just saying to myself in my head that it will be okay. I couldn’t stand not hugging her at that time. When I woke up from that dream, I felt like I lost everything.

  I could have never been so close with anyone in my life. We act like sisters. She is the most honest and understanding person I know. I cannot believe life without her. She knows how to get the party started and keep it going. To be honest, my mom is the craziest and weirdest person I know. I feel like my friends love her more sometimes, though, because they all call her Mama Kolp, Auntie Fran, and the best of all, Mom. Sometimes I feel like my friends just like me because of her.

  When I grow up, I want to be a role model just like my mom. I cannot think of one person who does not love her. It is unbelievable. She is a hero to everyone. I thi
nk every day, I want to be just like her, not because I am forced to, because I want to.

  —Megan K.

  I met MaryFran Kolp in the summer before the 2013–2014 school year. It happened at an auction meeting in the parish office. I was immediately smitten and struck by MaryFran’s uncanny skills and abilities. I knew right away that she was a phenom! I knew she could bring people together! The auction was at a crisis point at this time, and Father Danny had painted a grim picture of what we had for the auction, which is the critical fund-raiser for our school. MaryFran Kolp to the rescue! MaryFran took over and things immediately fell into place. She was energetic and provided the necessary leadership for all of us to climb on board. It was apparent to everyone that MaryFran had a magic, a special talent that the rest of us did not possess. We knew under her leadership that we could fix all the problems that we had with our auction. MaryFran made it happen. She practically lived at the school and she change the paradigm. One person, confident and willing to do whatever she could for the benefit of Saint Francis Xavier School, turned a struggling and potentially failing auction into a success. MaryFran Kolp has that kind of power and ability. She is a great leader, who led us by example, love, and an unceasing commitment. It’s safe to say that MaryFran Kolp used all her skills, talents, and abilities to glorify God. She made a difference to our school!

  —Jim K.

  Mary Fran and I first bonded over the correct pronunciation of the word “data”, which, as Fran would often point out (to me at least) was almost always pronounced incorrectly, a fact with which I completely agreed. So, Mary Fran, I will forever be your keeper of the proper pronunciation of “data”.

  Deb G.

  Where do I begin to talk about someone you love so dearly that words are not enough to express your feelings? MaryFran is one such special person. A loving and devoted mother and wife, a born leader, and a good friend and confidante.

  I first met Fran years ago when our kids studied at SFX. I got to know her better when she chaired the SFX auction not once but twice! I thought she was crazy, but she did it so naturally. She’ll say she had a lot of good help. Well, as a great leader, she has a way of making you do your work and just be happy doing it! And she is smart as heck! Needless to say, those were the most successful SFX auctions we’ve ever had!

  Fran and I were also with the Northern MI Alliance, a group of physicians’ wives that participate in worthy causes.

  Fran and I had a great time together when Danny joined USTA and played high school varsity tennis with my son Nico. We traveled, we laughed, we cheered. Fun and awesome time not just for our boys, but for us, too!

  Fran has a deep love and faith in God. This unwavering faith has given her strength in mind, body, and spirit. It takes a lot of courage and strength in all aspects to deal with ALS, and she is doing a remarkable job. Such an inspiration. Starting her IV for IV infusions for several months was probably the hardest thing I have ever done. I hate needles myself (funny for an IVT nurse), but Fran just took it in stride. So brave. I think she was the one comforting me through this whole process, but it was a relief for both of us when it was over. Instead of dreading to see her, I now look forward to my every visit. Such special moments.

  But what endeared me most to Fran is her personality. She sees the good in every person. She literally loves everyone. I have not heard her say anything negative about anyone. I think this is a remarkable trait because I am so guilty at times of doing the opposite. Fran is truly a beautiful person, inside and out. And I feel so honored and blessed to have known and met her in this lifetime.

  —Vanessa

  Ode to MaryFran

  I believe I met MaryFran in a life “BK” (before kids), but only briefly, and we saw each other intermittently through the years at various events. I do remember thinking, Dang, those little kids are so tall, in reference to her son and daughter! However, our friendship developed more deeply as she asked me to coach girls’ basketball at St. Francis with her. One never said no to MaryFran, not because she is bossy, but because you love her so much and want to be around her all the time! Megan was in sixth grade at the time and playing on the seventh-grade team. We had so much fun and hopefully taught the girls along the way. The “short bus” rides were always fun, and lots of singing from the girls made the long trip to Rogers City less boring. I sometimes had to keep MaryFran composed so she wouldn’t get a technical! However, I learned so much from her. She had an amazing relationship with all the girls and they were so blessed to have her as their coach. I learned things from her, as well, such as, “She’s having a tea party under there!” In reference to how open a player was under the basket and nobody was passing her the ball. I still use it to this day! I now have the pleasure of coaching her daughter again, this time in high school on the varsity team. Megan is a talented, hardworking young woman and I know this is due to her mother’s influence on her. I am so blessed to know and be friends with MaryFran and her wonderful family that she has nurtured, her immediate family as well as the community family that we have all become in being able to care for her and her family. The world will be quite dimmer when the light of her being is gone from this life.

  —Gina W.

  How do I describe MaryFran Peterlin-Kolp and our friendship? I was introduced to MaryFran by Melody Collins. MaryFran and Melody had birthing classes together for the boys. Melody told me she and Jeff had met this really fun couple and that we should get to know them, too. However, it wasn’t until MaryFran had her second child Megan, the same year that I had my daughter Genevieve, when we started hanging out more often.

  MaryFran invited us to her music and movement class. What a hoot! MaryFran is a natural teacher. Around the same time, Melody told me that MaryFran was working on her doctorate and wanted to hire me to edit her thesis. I was working as a graduate advisor at the time but wouldn’t let MaryFran hire me because I told her I would rather be friends. She told me she needed an editor more than a friend, and we actually managed to do both! I learned more about homocysteine levels than any nonmedical person should, but I also learned how much MaryFran cares about others, especially children. Her study actually uncovered cardiovascular disease risks in several children. After that, I often address her as Dr. Kolp.

  The first time she invited our family over for dinner, we had her famous Hawaiian chicken dish and my children were in heaven. Cats named after exotic Greek islands, dogs, pet mice, wild snowmobile rides, and romps through the woods looking for leeks. MaryFran refers to us as the city folk while they were the country folk.

  MaryFran always enjoys getting moms together. It started with the music and movement class but quickly included duck races down Porter Creek or fireworks and barbecues at the lake. MaryFran and I had a fun mom-and-daughter weekend in Chicago for an American girl doll experience.

  If there was a product that was healthy or improved a person’s life, MaryFran got behind it. Who hasn’t been to one of Fran’s home parties? And every time there was a fund-raiser, MaryFran’s home business was the largest supporter. Several of my t-shirts have Drs. Kolp on the back.

  MaryFran is also one of the founding members of the mom’s organic cooking club. “Let’s be healthy together and make family life easier” was her reasoning. Extra meals were always given to families with new babies or struggling through one of life’s hard times. Little did she know the cooking club would be making meals for her family several years later.

  Through volunteer experiences at Saint Francis Xavier, I witnessed MaryFran’s leadership and dedication to service. Whether it was auction chair, PTO president, or class helper, MaryFran was always present. During our daughters’ middle school years, it was fun to watch MaryFran’s competitiveness and fiery nature reveal itself as a basketball coach.

  MaryFran’s birthday is July 3. It’s usually difficult to celebrate because you can’t live Up North without constantly hosting friends and family in the summer. However, we try to squeeze in some birthday cake during our ann
ual Fourth of July Parade party. If we want to celebrate her birthday in the summer, she is a great sport about including all the summer birthdays. Because of this, I have been lucky to spend time with her wonderful extended family, too.

  MaryFran doesn’t like the spotlight on herself. She is definitely more comfortable on the giving end versus the receiving end. ALS stinks. I know she accepted the idea of Fran’s Frantabulous Friends only because of Andy, Danny, and Meg. MaryFran is a beautiful friend who has allowed us all the opportunity to give back to her a small fraction of the love she shares with others.

  —Maggie K.

  MaryFran, when you came into my life, I immediately loved you as if I’d known you forever! But little did I know the impact you would have on my life. I will always remember your stories from high school, on long car rides home from tournaments, your open invitation to come and talk, and snow days spent watching Hallmark Christmas movies. Most of all, I will never forget the endless love and acceptance you showed me, and I can never thank you enough for that. You were taken from us too soon, but I know that you are somewhere better now. I will miss you always.

  Love,

  Kir Bear

  One of my most memorable moment of you was when you came to my house to talk to my daughter Annie. She was going through a self-imagined phase and eating was becoming a problem. You sat in my kitchen and first told her how beautiful she was. She hears that from me all the time but hearing that from someone so confident and inspiring made all the difference in the world. After that, you just talked to her, and I mean really talked to her. She listened and so did you. Sometimes we hear people talk, but it takes a special person to really listen. That person was you. Words aren’t enough to express my gratitude for what you did for my Annie.

  When you ask me how your cross has affected me in a positive way…you have showed me humility. I hate when people say, “God only gives us what we can handle.” I tell God that I am not as strong as His son is, but then there’s you. You showed me that no matter how heavy my cross may be, God is there, with his angels, to help me carry it. Here’s a prayer that my students and I say every day.