Being Mary
Mary Johnson Van Den Berge is a "wear your heart on your sleeve" kind of woman, an unapologetic bookworm, and an online shopping champion. She devours murder mysteries in every form — whether in books or podcasts — with an enthusiasm that surprises even herself. Raised on a farm near St. Marys in Southwestern Ontario, she now calls Petrolia home, nestled in Ontario’s scenic “banana belt.”
Mary is a proud advocate for women’s rights and believes deeply in the power of honest conversation. On her podcast, she creates a safe and open space for women to explore the emotional layers of life—through candid conversations about relationships, identity, healing, motherhood, and more. It’s not just her story anymore—it’s all of ours.
Being Mary
Give Blood - Holly's Story
Last week, I gave blood—and then I read something that stopped me in my tracks.
It was a letter written by a 26-year-old woman named Holly Butcher, just one day before she passed away. Her words are powerful, raw, and deeply moving. She speaks about life, love, letting go of the small stuff—and the incredible gift of donating blood.
This is one you’ll want to hear.
#BeingMaryPodcast #LifeLessons #DonateBlood #HollyButcher #Gratitude #LiveFully
www.beingmary.ca
https://www.facebook.com/beingmaryvdb
https://www.instagram.com/beingmaryvdb/
https://www.youtube.com/@BeingMaryVDB
https://www.tiktok.com/@maryvdb
Hi it’s Mary, and welcome back to Being Mary.
I did a blood donation last week at the Canadian blood services and then I came across something on line that really touched me and I want to read to you.
It was written by a young girl named Holly Butcher. Holly posted her advice to the world, 24 hours before she died of cancer.
This was her message... A bit of life advice from Holly:
“It’s a strange thing to come to terms with your own mortality at 26. We go through life expecting tomorrow, planning for the future, and imagining growing old. I dreamed of a life filled with love, children, and laughter—but cancer had other plans. Now, I see how fragile and precious life is.
Each day is a gift, not a guarantee. I didn’t write this to make anyone fear death, but to remind you not to sweat the small stuff. Appreciate the now. Be grateful for your body—move it, feed it well, and don’t waste energy hating it. Stop fixating on flaws that won’t matter in the end.
Instead, breathe in fresh air, soak in nature, and take in the beauty of simply being alive. Spend your time on experiences, not things. Don’t miss a beach trip because you bought another dress. Cook a meal for a friend, write them a heartfelt note, and say “I love you” often. Whine less, help more.
Give generously—it brings more joy than anything money can buy. And value people’s time—show up, be present, and put down your phone. You don’t need a perfect body, a high-paying job, or an Instagram-worthy life. Do what makes your heart happy.
Say no to things that drain you, and if something makes you miserable, change it. And please—donate blood. It gave me another year with my loved ones, a year filled with some of the best memories of my life.
That gift meant everything.
Holly
Till next time, keep walking, keep giving blood and keep being you.