Today marks 8 years since my Dad (Frederick or Fred as he was called by most) moved on to be a more peaceful, pain free, and spiritual being. Rather than be sad, I choose today to remember the laughter, the love, the lessons and the smiles. We NEVER gave up hope. His spirit was strong, but the cancer and the chemo became too much for his body to handle. I acknowledge this anniversary not to elicit sympathy, but to express my gratitude and appreciation for him and to you. If it werent for those trips with my Dad into the San Gabriels to hike, explore and ski I would not be a trail runner. He helped inspire in me a love of the mountains, nature and trail dirt. The mountain could get cold on those late afternoons on the slopes of Mt Waterman. The love of my Dad kept me warm. I joined TNT before my Dad got sick. I continued to coach through his illness. I needed the TEAM. There I was trying to coach and support the TEAM, yet all the while the TEAM was holding me up and feeding me spoonfuls of hope and support. I had a purpose and something positive to do other than wallow in fear, isolation and depression. Team in Training was (and still is) my medicine. I was at Saturday training (11-19-2006) two days after my Dad moved on. I was not there out of a sense of obligation, but out of a need to be around the positive force that is Team in Training. I didnt do any coaching that day. I dont remember speaking much. I just wanted to run with the group. I did, and I found some peace with my teammates on the trails in Hahamongna. I distinctly remember feeling a wave of peace come over me as I rounded the bend by Johnsons Field. One (a part of the group) in a small pack of runners. Rituxin and Gleevec are two of the many medications that can be given to people fighting cancer. Medical professionals give those out in pills and needle pricks. Theres another powerful treatment that doctors and nurses dont always give out and that is hope and compassion. Ive found that Team in Training provides ample amounts of those agents of healing and they are administered via spirit, camaraderie and kindness. Lessons learned through running endurance events and being with the TEAM helped me and my family during our battle with cancer. The teams I coached back then inspired me with hope. That hope, the camaraderie that those teams shared with me .... I was able to give to my family and Dad. TNT lifted us up. Team in Training (YOU) inspired my Dad and helped him. Thank you. I am grateful for each one of the Team in Training Teams I have been a part of. Even after battling cancer with my Dad and family... even after experiencing that heart breaking loss I still too often take things for granted and grumble in my head about trivial things. Is it human nature? The weather outside today was beautiful. Peaceful. That, and todays anniversary, reminds me that life can turn on a dime. Try to appreciate each day and share love, compassion and always lend a helping hand to those in need. Thank you Team in Training. GO TEAM!
Posted on: Tue, 18 Nov 2014 03:04:23 +0000
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