When she spoke about them, she could light up a room. Lynn Thomson's children - the street kids of Winnipeg - were her life.

Always ready with a hug, or words of encouragement. "Are you warm enough in that?" "How's the baby?" "Two weeks clean - you rock man!" Her energy was infectious.

I was deeply saddened to hear that Lynn Thomson had passed away earlier this week. I had the great pleasure of spending a little time with her, getting to know what she stood for, and to be touched by her "down to earth", "all are welcome" kindness.

Here was a woman, working through incredible personal challenges, who saved many lives - the lives of young people who had somehow gone astray and wound up on Winnipeg's streets.  She asked for nothing, yet gave so much. The love and respect for her was evident in everyone I spoke with. Through her long and extremely difficult battle with diabetes, her only focus was the welfare of the kids. "Got to get back to the kids."  When I asked Lynn, "How long will you be doing this?", she replied, "Until the day I die."

She's in a better place now, her own suffering is done...a relief, I'm told, for those who spent those final, difficult days with her.

The kids who credit her with saving their lives have started a Facebook page in her honour.

A memorial is planned for this weekend.
 
I'll be there.


Watch Reg's story on Lynn Thomson, Angel for Troubled Youth, from December 28, 2009.