Murder, suicide or cancer would never affect my life. At least, that is what I thought 11 years ago, whether from ignorance of youth or optimism not yet jaded by age. They have all had a profound effect on my life and on the people around me.

It began Aug. 4, 1995, when gunfire broke out in what was rated as the safest city in the country. It concluded in the death of my sister's husband, Simi Valley Police Officer Michael F. Clark. At 28, Jenifer Clark was left with a 6-month-old son and the notoriety of being the widow of the first Simi Valley police officer to be killed in the line of duty. Jenifer had no idea this would mark the beginning of a chain of disastrous events that would occur over the next decade.

April 1, 1999, Jenifer lost another piece of herself, with the passing of her mother and friend, Lana R. Landry. Then, a year later, she learned her brother-in-law had shot and killed himself and had tried to kill her sister.

Since her battle with breast cancer, her mission has been to join with the masses to fight this disease by participating in the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer on Sept. 16 and 17 in Los Angeles. She will walk a total of 39.3 miles, camp out in a tent and use portable toilets for two days. Anyone who knows Jenifer knows she is a "girly girl." Camping is not in her vocabulary. A portable toilet sends chills down her spine.

Jenifer and Deborah began this journey in an effort to reach as many people as possible and to find new ways to include the community. Training walks with Deborah and Jenifer are being held every Tuesday and Thursday from 8 to 9:30 a.m. until Sept. 14. Tuesdays, the walks are at Rancho Tapo Community Park (Lemon Park), 3700 Avenida Simi, and Thursdays at Rancho Madera Community Park, 556 Lake Park Drive, off Wood Ranch Parkway. They invite you to join them.

Donations for Jenifer or Deborah can be dropped off or mailed to Deborah's office Mondays, Wednesdays or Fridays, 1720 E. Los Angeles Ave., Suite I, Simi Valley, CA 93065. All checks are to be made out to Avon Walk for Breast Cancer.

To make a donation online, visit http://walk.avonfoundation.org. Go to "donate," "donate to a participant," "Los Angeles," "search for a participant" (either Jenifer Clark or Deborah Wollum) and make a tax-deductible donation. Questions can be answered by calling 520-2780.

Jenifer knows what touches one life affects many. Life is a natural cycle of ever-changing events, a progression that begins in birth and ends in death. When death comes suddenly, it seems senseless. We ask, "Why?"

The reasons are elusive. Our perception of the reflections of the past will provide the keys to the gates of tomorrow. It is our choice to remember the lessons of yesterday to answer the questions of the future.

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