Friday, June 14, 2013

Fitness Friday...For my Dad

My Dad has always called me his "Pal".  He's always signed his cards, Love: Your Pal.  When I was younger he would steal our crayons and construction paper and make us cards for Valentine's Day.  He was my softball coach for most of my life and on my last college softball game, he left the hospital, traveled the 2 hours to the game, and took the game ball.  Later that week he presented it to me filled with quotes and Bible verses that we had quoted to each other over the 15 years of my softball career.  I can clearly remember one day when I was young playing in the garage while he worked on something...calling out for help and he came running over in a split second to help.
My Dad also has struggled with Crohn's Disease for 46 years....for the entire length of my parent's marriage, they have dealt together with the highs and lows that the journey of Crohn's provides.  If you are unfamiliar with the disease check out the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation website here.  I can not even imagine what it has been like for my Dad to live each day with this...and there have been countless days when I didn't think he would live any longer....a game he would not make, graduation he that would have an empty seat, an isle I would walk alone, and a granddaughter he would not hold...but somehow God has kept him here.  Today he gets most of his nutrients from TPN and hasn't actually ate a meal in 10 years.  He struggles to have the energy to do all the things he once loved but each time his grandchildren walk through the door, no matter how bad he feels, he lights up and begins joking with him.
One of the hardest parts for me as a child of someone with Crohn's Disease is that helpless feeling watching someone you love suffer....not knowing when the next flareup would rage through their body.  This Father's Day I will not be with my Dad (we are celebrating next weekend) but tomorrow I am doing something with our girls to honor my Dad.  I will be running in the Mackenzie's 5k for Crohn's Disease.  It's a small, local 5k with a cause so extremely dear to my heart.  I can't take Crohn's away from my Dad....I can't make this one thing that I hate go away...I can't find a cure...but I can run.  I can run for my Dad and anyone out there that faces Crohn's each day.  I can run...and maybe one day Crohn's will be gone!

20 comments:

  1. Big hug for you and your dad. Just makes me realize again that good health is a GIFT that should be celebrated every day!

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  2. Love reading this, your dad sounds like an awesome dad. What a great way to celebrate for him this weekend.

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  3. Beautiful post. I love that you and the girls are running a 5k in honor of your dad.

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  4. What a great way to honor him this weekend! Loved this sweet post.

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  5. Aww, such a great post, Nancy. My dad has MS so I know what you mean about struggling to see your dad struggle. Have a wonderful weekend!

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  6. Such a true statement: we can run! I'll be running with you from here in NH ;)

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  7. This post made me tear up. What a wonderful thing you are doing - it is obvious your dad shared his heart with you!

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  8. Wow Nancy, what a special bond you and your dad have:) True blessings.

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  9. What a beautiful post. What a wonderful dad you have and he is lucky to have you as well!

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  10. That was such a wonderful way to honor your dad! My mom battled cancer when I was growing up so I can relate to watching someone you love so much suffer. It's awful but, like you, I find solace in running! We are so lucky to have a sport that is equal parts exercise and meditation to heal our souls!! I have no doubt you will rock that 5K!!! Happy Father's Day to your dad! My he live long and happy with his loving daughter:-)

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  11. So sweet. I know you Pal is so proud of the generous woman you have become!

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  12. I love the gift/tribute that you are giving your dad by running the 5K!!

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  13. Wow, what a great post :) I coached for the CCFA half marathon team's in the past and have seen many struggle with crohns. Your dad is a strong man

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  14. Dads will always be a super hero. Happy Father's Day and know that you make him proud every single second.

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  15. What a great way to honor your Dad. Good luck and have fun!

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  16. Great post Nancy and a wonderful way to honor your dad. You CAN run and you will run for him. Love it.

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  17. Wow that was a beautiful post and your Dad must be so proud of you. I hope he can keep finding that peace through his pals! Mark @marathoner

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  18. awww - happy fathers day to your dad, what a wonderful post.
    in reading the book the plan I've read many crohn's sufferers have had great success... but sounds like your dad might be past that. Just throwing it out there.

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  19. Big hugs!!! For someone who lived a life with a very sick mother I get it. I know where you are. I hear for you whenever. I love when we are able to do something like you are doing tomorrow. For my mom I used to do MS walks...

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  20. I love that first photo! It's beautiful! I can't imagine living with such a disease; it must be so hard. It's great that he is still there for you and for your kids and that you can be there for him as well!

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