Most times this column is about poking fun at life's little nuances and issues, or at least making the mundane more interesting. Today, though, I have to write from my heart about an e-mail I received from a friend today.

Her daughter is going through chemotherapy to treat leukemia. In less than two weeks, she is going to undergo complete radiation treatment and chemo, and on July 21, she is getting a bone marrow transplant. Oh yeah, did I mention that she is 9 years old?

One of the things my job requires is to attempt to explain things in descriptive, vivid detail so that you, the reader, can fully comprehend the magnitude of the event.

How much more descriptive can one be, however, than saying a 9-year-old has lost seven teeth due to chemotherapy and is scheduled to get radiation treatment for the next seven days so that she can have the big payoff — a bone marrow transplant so that she might recover?

Life is cruel.

That's a lesson we are supposed to learn in college when we don't make the varsity team or we fail an exam — not something we need to learn when we are in grade school.

Yet Jenna has learned this lesson far too early, every round of chemotherapy wiping out cancerous blood cells and taking with them a little innocence each time.

When I was 9, I complained about being bored because there was nothing to do.

For Jenna, her big thrill this past week came when she had a chance to take a walk with her family in the park while picnicking. You remember what that is, right? It's when everyone in the family gets together to eat, drink and be merry.

Life throws us curveballs from time to time. Jenna, however, hits those curveballs out of the park and into the next galaxy with her demeanor.

Rather than wallow in her circumstances like most of us (myself included) would do, Jenna has fired curveball after curveball back at those she loves most: her family.

She is leading them forward, unafraid to fight the good fight everyday and live life each day for the gift that it really is. She is a rock, in every sense of the word, and has inspired hundreds of people around her through her actions.

She inspired me to get my first physical examination in three years and take on a rigorous diet schedule so that I can be around to watch my kids grow old. Thanks, Jenna.

Why does it always take something devastating to wake us adults up to reality?

Jenna's attitude can only be described as fearlessly optimistic, to the point that any leader today should stop and take notice. Here is a 9 year old with a deadly blood disease saying "C'mon. Bring it on. I can beat it."

And she will. She did before, and she will again. It's what fighters do.

The great thing about this situation is that when all this is said and done, Jenna is going to be even mentally stronger than when she was diagnosed. Can you imagine the eternal optimism this kid is going to have? Look out world, here comes Jenna.

Visit my friend's Web page and wish her well, please. You'll be so happy to know a girl like Jenna. She's at: www.caringbridge.org/cb/viewHome.do

And to all cancer survivors, fighters and victims, each of you truly are my heroes every day when I wake up. Keep fighting and proving that you can win. Not just for yourselves, but for everyone else cheering you on.