This past week as Father's Day approached caused me to stop and reflect on the huge impact my Dad had and continues to have in my life.Whew! Where to start.
Since his passing last September, my emotions have been on a roller coaster. He was my Superhero.
The biggest thing I miss is not being able to talk to him. About big issues (he loved to talk about American politics) and the more mundane day-to-day life stuff. Not so much to get answers...while he always had a ready opinion to share, he rarely told you what to do...but to hear his stories. He told and re-told them endlessly. And I must confess, I even got short with him sometimes. I miss that now and would give anything to have one of those conversations today.
This past week I decided to do something not just in memory of my father, but for all the father's who have had an impact on the lives of their children. The ones who were there to provide guidance. Who stuck with us when we did the dumb things and were always there to pick us up. The ones who loved us unconditionally. The ones who trusted us with their cars!
I am dedicating my run in the Reggae Marathon December 5 to all Dad's everywhere. Thank you Dad for listening, teaching, giving, loving.
Since I have received so much from my Dad, I also want to give back. I have also decided to use the run this December to raise funds for research.
Dad suffered from many illnesses over the past 10 years. Beginning with home dialysis for his diabetes through prostate cancer and finally the 'biggie', the triple bypass heart operation a few years ago. The procedures, medication and technology that kept him alive were all the result of leading-edge research. I want to do my part to raise money. Within the next couple of weeks once I work out the final details, I will let you know what charity I plan to support and how you will be able to contribute.
In the meantime, you can continue to follow me on facebook in the group, "Run the Reggae Marathon"...new members welcome http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/group.php?gid=42928009310.
Some final thoughts: On Christmas Day, 2008 I posted a memorial to my Dad entitled, "He was supposed to live forever". If you would like to read it, you will find it at this link: http://mykalsreport.blogspot.com/2008/12/he-was-supposed-to-live-forever.html
The photo above was taken at Cavendish Beach, PEI. He and Mom really enjoyed that vacation. Not sure who he was talking to but he he had a knack for showmanship didn't he :)
Each of our fathers had a huge and unique impact on the group of us when we were growing up. We really are blessed to have had the influences of your dad, as well as Greg's, Garth's and my own. The have been, and continue to be our collective mentors, our conscience, our teachers. They have provided us with a moral compass and an ethical standard, and fostered in us a compassion for the human condition. We are the better for knowing them.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comments. If I listen carefully I can hear him speaking to me...
ReplyDeleteSeems we miss people the most when they are no longer here...
ReplyDeleteGreat idea to use your run to raise money.
Keep me posted!
That be the truth! I should how the fund raising will work within a couple of weeks. I will blog about it of course...and twitter, and facebook it as well :)
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