Today is Father’s Day. The older I get, the more I realize that what we leave behind isn’t found in awards, careers, or accomplishments. It’s found in the people who want to come home. This Friday was my father-in-law Bill’s Birthday. 83 years old. His kids came home to celebrate both his birthday and Father’s Day. I spent quite a bit of time talking to him that afternoon. He talked about what he all did to get his house built, and the history behind it. The farm he grew up on, and how he “kept it” in the family. He was doing a lot of talking of what was important to him. Watching him interact with his family. Realizing what matters after a lifetime. And now, the privilege of being a grandfather myself.
I have been dealing with a knee injury the last few months and have not been able to run. I can bike, and I can walk. Both of these activities give me time to “think!” I did some thinking while out walking yesterday about the conversation I had with him. Every walk reminds me how much I took for granted. Maybe Father’s Day is similar. The older we get the more we appreciate things we once assumed would always be there.
This is the last picture of me with my Dad. He has been gone for over 12 years now. I have totally lost count how many times I continue to think of him. How I would like to discuss things with him. Get his advice. I was getting that with my Father-in-law on Friday. None of us are guaranteed tomorrow, so live each day with meaning. It got me thinking about my kids, when they came along, all the adventures, and “life” we had together. These are some that will always mean “more” to me:
This was taken the morning we brought our twins home. These 2 made me a Dad. Little did I know what was coming! You think you will get things figured out, and eventually you do, but majority of it is by trial and error. Hopefully, I did not have a lot of “error”, but no question, I had my share!
This was Molly, Megan, and Nick out cheering me on at Grandma’s Marathon. Sarah had T-shirts made for them. On the front they lined up and together they had: Go Dad Go! Boy did I get a boost from this. But…then they turned around, and I about broke down right there…
This said it all! And it still says it all! One guy running next to me and looked at me and said: “Wow! That is the coolest thing I have ever seen! You are making me cry!” They wore these at a few other races after that as well. I have used these pictures so many times in presentations I have given in the past. It is a forever memory that I thank Sarah for doing this…and the kids for being proud wearing them!
Friday, I watched an 83-year-old father surrounded by his children. Today I am celebrating Father’s Day. Monday I’ll spend time with my grandchildren. And somewhere in between, I was reminded that the greatest legacy isn’t what we accomplish. It’s the relationships we build along the way. Keep working on those relationships. And…keep moving everybody!
Dr. Dan
Consecutive Exercise Day of Newest Streak: # 844