We all have those people who touch our life, whether it be a family member, a close friend, a boss, or a co-worker. We often know them like the back of our hand and are around them every day. But I had a total stranger touch my life and the sad thing is, I don't even know her name.

She was a sweet middle aged woman that I came across at they gym a few years ago. I remember being on the treadmill next to her after running my three miles and she turned and looked at me and said, "you're my inspiration!". I then took off my earphones and started a quick conversation with her. We talked about her grandchildren, her son and daughter-in-law and how much she adores them. We talked about my college and my family and my then so-called-boyfriend. She would even point out guys at the gym that should take me on a date. And then she told me how she was battling cancer for the second time in her life. And through all of our conversations, she would always display such a genuine interest in me, and I was equally as concerned for her.

She was a beam of light in the gym every day. Always smiling, always talking to me every single time I would get on the treadmill next to her. I would ask her how she was feeling, and she would always say "you have more to life than being concerned about some old lady with cancer at the gym, I really hope you pursue nursing school." She became my number one fan, and I became hers.

And then I stopped seeing her once I changed my schedule and couldn't go to the gym in the morning. I haven't seen her in about two years. But I know how much she touched my life.

I don't know your name, but if you are reading this- I hope you beat cancer. I hope you're still kicking butt at the gym. I ended up enrolling in nursing school, and by all means, you touched my life in more ways than one. So thank you for that.