SOUTH BEND
Life's about living.
Life's about walking to the end of the pier at New Buffalo beach on a windy day, being soaked to the bone, but loving every minute.
Life's about watching a newborn fawn struggle to find its legs.
Life's about the view from Sister Barbara Anne Hallman's window, at the Sisters of St. Francis Convent across from Marian High School.
Sister Barbara Anne sincerely appreciates life. A native of the Detroit area who took her vows with the Sisters of St. Francis in 1952, Sister Barbara Anne spent most of her adult life as a teacher and principal at Catholic schools across the country.
"We always say, 'Join the convent, see the world,'" Sister Barbara Anne said with a laugh and smile that never melts.
At the Mishawaka convent, in semi-retirement, she's in charge of day and weekend retreats.
Four years ago, her work schedule was interrupted by a battle with cancer. The disease didn't stand a chance against this marvelous lady with a positive outlook and appreciation for life.
What makes Sister Barbara Anne truly special is her zest to share her gifts. The power of her pen is matched only by her order's power of prayer.
At the request of friends, she began writing two Marines - one from Crown Point, Ind., one from Hammond, Ind. - who were stationed in Iraq.
"Even though they were coming from a stranger, they said they loved my letters," Sister Barbara Anne said. "They would pass them around their platoon."
Her letters focused on life, and the beauty of nature outside her window.
A computer "amateur," Sister Barbara Anne said last spring she stumbled onto a story that tugged at her heart. It was about the cancer diagnosis for Boston College All-America linebacker Mark Herzlich.
One day, he's the physically-strapping leader of the BC defense. The next, a cancer patient with more questions than answers.
"I've lived for more than three-quarters of a century and I still have some unfulfilled dreams," Sister Barbara Anne said. "What about this young man? There's so much he has to live for."
The brash part of Sister Barbara Anne's personality doesn't allow her to sit back and wallow - even in someone else's misery. She took action.
Somehow - she couldn't do it again on a bet - she found an address for Herzlich on the Internet. Sister Barbara Anne wrote him a letter and touched his soul.
Since her first correspondence in May, she's written every two weeks.
"She has such a positive attitude," Herzlich said of Sister Barbara Anne. "What made (her letter) unique was that it was someone away from the whole football experience. She had no idea who I was. She's a cancer survivor. It's someone who was able to fight it and beat it.
"(Her letters) stood out because they were different (than others he's received). They weren't, 'Here's what I did, here's what you have to do.' She started one letter saying she's looking out her window and what she sees. She talked about enjoying life and enjoying your surroundings.
"It impressed me that someone that far away, who's not connected (with football), can care so much."
It's a genuine care. She's not seeking the publicity that has found her. She's been featured on ESPN's Gameday as well as an article in Sports Illustrated.
Sister Barbara Anne just wanted Herzlich to know that she and the 80 or so other members of the order at the Mishawaka convent were there for him.
"We've got a powerhouse of prayer here," Sister Barbara Anne said. "We've got someone in our chapel 24 hours a day, and he's one of those we're praying for."
Herzlich, who has cancer in his left leg, has gone through 36 days of chemotherapy and 25 days (two treatments a day) of radiation.
Doctors have said the cancer has all but disappeared in his leg. However, a long road still lies ahead. He'll finish his chemotherapy sessions by mid-November, then will have surgery to have a stabilizing rod inserted into his left femur.
If all goes well, he plans on a late-spring or summer return to football.
He's expected to be at Notre Dame Stadium Saturday afternoon when his Eagles pay a visit. Sister Barbara Anne was hoping to spend some time with him.
"A couple weeks ago, (Herzlich) sent me an autographed picture," Sister Barbara Anne said. "I had to look at it a couple times before I realized it was a game he was playing against Notre Dame. He snuck that one in on me."
Along with Sister Barbara Anne's correspondence, Herzlich has developed other relationships. Notre Dame head coach Charlie Weis and receiver Golden Tate have also formed bonds.
Weis called Herzlich this summer to let him know he lit a candle for the linebacker in The Grotto. Through texts and calls, a relationship developed.
"You want to talk about a winner, that kid's a winner," Weis said of Herzlich. "We communicate regularly. Even something little, I just push him. I don't let him feel sorry for himself."
Weis recalled a time in preseason camp when he considered giving his players a practice off and, instead, taking them to a lake. He ran the idea past Herzlich to get a player's perspective.
"When we were on the bus going up to the lake, he texted Golden Tate saying, 'Hey have a good time at the lake.' Golden texted him back and said, 'How the hell did you know we were going to the lake?' He goes, 'I was in on this the whole time.'
"Probably the funniest thing he said was if the people from Boston College knew that the head coach from Notre Dame and I are friends, they would probably disown me.
"I have a lot of respect. I already had respect for him as a player, I have much more respect for him as a person."
"It's one thing to reach out and give encouragement," Herzlich said. "It's another thing to take it upon yourself to become a guiding force and really a friend where there's really no reason for him to be one. (Weis has) been great."
Tate got to know Herzlich through ND women's lacrosse player Amelia Bernier and Irish football teammate Barry Gallup, Jr., both mutual friends.
"I honestly look up to the kid, with all he's gone through," Tate said. "He's stayed focused, worked hard and has done whatever he needed to get back. It's paying off. He's a great player and then he had a tragedy come. He's a person I'd like to be around, so I tried to develop a relationship with him.
"I talk to (Herzlich) on a weekly basis. I talked to him after he spoke on (ESPN's) Gameday. I said that he gave a great speech and, 'The bald head definitely fits you well.' I think we've developed a great relationship."
Whether or not the dream of playing again ever happens isn't important.
"When you're part of a team, you have built-in friendships with 100 guys," Herzlich said. "Through this, those friendships have grown stronger, the bond has been greater.
"When you're 18 or 19, you feel invincible. You're playing on national TV, grades are going well, life's pretty good. Something like this puts everything in perspective.
"I just want to run back onto the field with those 100 guys. This isn't about getting into the NFL. I just want to be out there with my friends."
The support system's in place. He's got a powerhouse of prayer in his corner.
Life's really pretty good.
Life's about living.
Life's about walking to the end of the pier at New Buffalo beach on a windy day, being soaked to the bone, but loving every minute.
Life's about watching a newborn fawn struggle to find its legs.
Life's about the view from Sister Barbara Anne Hallman's window, at the Sisters of St. Francis Convent across from Marian High School.
Sister Barbara Anne sincerely appreciates life. A native of the Detroit area who took her vows with the Sisters of St. Francis in 1952, Sister Barbara Anne spent most of her adult life as a teacher and principal at Catholic schools across the country.
"We always say, 'Join the convent, see the world,'" Sister Barbara Anne said with a laugh and smile that never melts.
At the Mishawaka convent, in semi-retirement, she's in charge of day and weekend retreats.
Four years ago, her work schedule was interrupted by a battle with cancer. The disease didn't stand a chance against this marvelous lady with a positive outlook and appreciation for life.
What makes Sister Barbara Anne truly special is her zest to share her gifts. The power of her pen is matched only by her order's power of prayer.
At the request of friends, she began writing two Marines - one from Crown Point, Ind., one from Hammond, Ind. - who were stationed in Iraq.
"Even though they were coming from a stranger, they said they loved my letters," Sister Barbara Anne said. "They would pass them around their platoon."
Her letters focused on life, and the beauty of nature outside her window.
A computer "amateur," Sister Barbara Anne said last spring she stumbled onto a story that tugged at her heart. It was about the cancer diagnosis for Boston College All-America linebacker Mark Herzlich.
One day, he's the physically-strapping leader of the BC defense. The next, a cancer patient with more questions than answers.
"I've lived for more than three-quarters of a century and I still have some unfulfilled dreams," Sister Barbara Anne said. "What about this young man? There's so much he has to live for."
The brash part of Sister Barbara Anne's personality doesn't allow her to sit back and wallow - even in someone else's misery. She took action.
Somehow - she couldn't do it again on a bet - she found an address for Herzlich on the Internet. Sister Barbara Anne wrote him a letter and touched his soul.
Since her first correspondence in May, she's written every two weeks.
"She has such a positive attitude," Herzlich said of Sister Barbara Anne. "What made (her letter) unique was that it was someone away from the whole football experience. She had no idea who I was. She's a cancer survivor. It's someone who was able to fight it and beat it.
"(Her letters) stood out because they were different (than others he's received). They weren't, 'Here's what I did, here's what you have to do.' She started one letter saying she's looking out her window and what she sees. She talked about enjoying life and enjoying your surroundings.
"It impressed me that someone that far away, who's not connected (with football), can care so much."
It's a genuine care. She's not seeking the publicity that has found her. She's been featured on ESPN's Gameday as well as an article in Sports Illustrated.
Sister Barbara Anne just wanted Herzlich to know that she and the 80 or so other members of the order at the Mishawaka convent were there for him.
"We've got a powerhouse of prayer here," Sister Barbara Anne said. "We've got someone in our chapel 24 hours a day, and he's one of those we're praying for."
Herzlich, who has cancer in his left leg, has gone through 36 days of chemotherapy and 25 days (two treatments a day) of radiation.
Doctors have said the cancer has all but disappeared in his leg. However, a long road still lies ahead. He'll finish his chemotherapy sessions by mid-November, then will have surgery to have a stabilizing rod inserted into his left femur.
If all goes well, he plans on a late-spring or summer return to football.
He's expected to be at Notre Dame Stadium Saturday afternoon when his Eagles pay a visit. Sister Barbara Anne was hoping to spend some time with him.
"A couple weeks ago, (Herzlich) sent me an autographed picture," Sister Barbara Anne said. "I had to look at it a couple times before I realized it was a game he was playing against Notre Dame. He snuck that one in on me."
Along with Sister Barbara Anne's correspondence, Herzlich has developed other relationships. Notre Dame head coach Charlie Weis and receiver Golden Tate have also formed bonds.
Weis called Herzlich this summer to let him know he lit a candle for the linebacker in The Grotto. Through texts and calls, a relationship developed.
"You want to talk about a winner, that kid's a winner," Weis said of Herzlich. "We communicate regularly. Even something little, I just push him. I don't let him feel sorry for himself."
Weis recalled a time in preseason camp when he considered giving his players a practice off and, instead, taking them to a lake. He ran the idea past Herzlich to get a player's perspective.
"When we were on the bus going up to the lake, he texted Golden Tate saying, 'Hey have a good time at the lake.' Golden texted him back and said, 'How the hell did you know we were going to the lake?' He goes, 'I was in on this the whole time.'
"Probably the funniest thing he said was if the people from Boston College knew that the head coach from Notre Dame and I are friends, they would probably disown me.
"I have a lot of respect. I already had respect for him as a player, I have much more respect for him as a person."
"It's one thing to reach out and give encouragement," Herzlich said. "It's another thing to take it upon yourself to become a guiding force and really a friend where there's really no reason for him to be one. (Weis has) been great."
Tate got to know Herzlich through ND women's lacrosse player Amelia Bernier and Irish football teammate Barry Gallup, Jr., both mutual friends.
"I honestly look up to the kid, with all he's gone through," Tate said. "He's stayed focused, worked hard and has done whatever he needed to get back. It's paying off. He's a great player and then he had a tragedy come. He's a person I'd like to be around, so I tried to develop a relationship with him.
"I talk to (Herzlich) on a weekly basis. I talked to him after he spoke on (ESPN's) Gameday. I said that he gave a great speech and, 'The bald head definitely fits you well.' I think we've developed a great relationship."
Whether or not the dream of playing again ever happens isn't important.
"When you're part of a team, you have built-in friendships with 100 guys," Herzlich said. "Through this, those friendships have grown stronger, the bond has been greater.
"When you're 18 or 19, you feel invincible. You're playing on national TV, grades are going well, life's pretty good. Something like this puts everything in perspective.
"I just want to run back onto the field with those 100 guys. This isn't about getting into the NFL. I just want to be out there with my friends."
The support system's in place. He's got a powerhouse of prayer in his corner.
Life's really pretty good.
