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Saturday, September 16, 2006

Getting ready for 9 miles...

(Note to the ladies: make sure you have a kleenex nearby as you read this.)
Her hair was up in a pony tail,
her favorite dress tied with a bow.
Today was Daddy's Day at school,and she couldn't wait to go.
But her mommy tried to tell her, that she probably should stay home.
Why the kids might not understand, if she went to school alone.
But she was not afraid; she knew just what to say.
What to tell her classmates of why he wasn't there today.
But still her mother worried, for her to face this day alone.
And that was why once again, she tried to keep her daughter home.
But the little girl went to schooleager to tell them all.
About a dad she never sees;a dad who never calls.
There were daddies along the wall in back, for everyone to meet.
Children squirming impatiently, anxious in their seats
One by one the teacher called a student from the class.
To introduce their daddy, as seconds slowly passed.
At last the teacher called her name,every child turned to stare.
Each of them was searching, for a man who wasn't there.
"Where's her daddy at?" she heard a boy call out.
"She probably doesn't have one,"another student dared to shout.
And from somewhere near the back,she heard a daddy say,
"Looks like another deadbeat dad, too busy to waste his day."
The words did not offend her,as she smiled up at her Mom.
And looked back at her teacher, who told her to go on.
And with hands behind her back, slowly she began to speak.
And out from the mouth of a child, came words incredibly unique.
"My Daddy couldn't be here, because he lives so far away.
But I know he wishes he could be, since this is such a special day.
And though you cannot meet him, I wanted you to know.
All about my daddy,and how much he loves me so.
He loved to tell me stories he taught me to ride my bike.
He surprised me with pink roses, and taught me to fly a kite.
We used to share fudge sundaes, and ice cream in a cone.
And though you cannot see him.
I'm not standing here alone.
Cause my daddy's always with me, even though we are apart
I know because he told me, he'll forever be in my heart."
With that, her little hand reached up, and lay across her chest.
Feeling her own heartbeat,beneath her favorite dress.
And from somewhere here in the crowd of dads, her mother stood in tears.
Proudly watching her daughter,who was wise beyond her years.
For she stood up for the love of a man not in her life.
Doing what was best for her, doing what was right.
And when she dropped her hand back down, staring straight into the crowd.
She finished with a voice so soft, but its message clear and loud.
"I love my daddy very much,he's my shining star.
And if he could, he'd be here,but heaven's just too far.
You see he was a firefighterand died just this past year
When airplanes hit the towersand taught Americans to fear.
But sometimes when I close my eyes,it's like he never went away."
And then she closed her eyes,and she saw him there that day.
And to her mothers amazement,she witnessed with surprise
A room full of daddies and children,all starting to close their eyes.
Who knows what they saw before them,who knows what they felt inside.
Perhaps for merely a second, they saw him at her side.
"I know you're with me Daddy," to the silence she called out.
And what happened next made believers,of those once filled with doubt.
Not one in that room could explain it,for each of their eyes had been closed.
But there on the desk beside her,was a fragrant long-stemmed pink rose.
And a child was blessed, if only for a moment,by the love of her shining star.
And given the gift of believing,that heaven is never too far.
They say it takes a minute to find a special person,
an hour to appreciate them, a day to love them, but then an entire life to forget them.
This is something that I found online. It hit my heart. When I read Running Jayhawk's post today, it made me think of this poem. It's in the same theme of this past week's 5th anniversary. But it also hits me personally because it involves a little girl and her daddy - who's a firefighter. I am that little girl and my own dad is the firefighter. My dad's no longer with me physically, but with me in spirit.
Like Mouse and Lora, I lost my dad due to cancer - a rare form of leukemia to be exact - and was taken from us on May 15, 2005.
Yes, cancer sucks!! I have a few tears in my eyes as I type this, but I don't care. But I have taken a more positive way to focus my grief instead of sitting in my misery. That's why I have started running and completing my first marathon with Team in Training. I did it for him. When I was struggling at Mile 22, I was trying to hang on. Once I started thinking of him, I continued to press on. I finished! Now I am working on my 2nd marathon - and 2nd trip - to P.F. Chang's Rock and Roll Arizona Marathon. I loved the cheerleaders and the bands ('cept for the lack of them in the first 2 or 3 miles and around mile 14 and 15!) I LOVED hearing complete strangers cheer me on and keep run/walking. It was awesome!
Tommorow's my 9 miler. The weather looks really questionable with possible storms overnight and in the morning plus I am at work until 3 am tonight. I won't make the group run, but I plan to run my first long run in two weeks on the treadmill. It will be a little boring - maybe - but the Vikings game will on the TV so I can have something to watch and keep my mind off of the time to get the miles done. I plan to do it as slow I need to. My goal is to get it done, but not in a fast time. I did eat good. I have 6 potato and cheese periogies today. I know that I make Leah's grandma proud. They were YUMMY and very filling too.
I do plan on getting a good ice bath afterwards too. My kids will be there and would love the company as I sit in a bathtub of ice (and try to explain it to my youngest!)
Today was an awesome day while catching up on the college football. I was 1-1 today (Air Force had a bye today!). The Gophers POUNDED Temple today 62-0, which is better than watching my friend's Notre Dame Irish getting SPANKED by Michigan. (Yes, I did RUB it in - by e-mail, phone, AND Yahoo IM!) But I am embarrassed to a Colorado Buffies fan. We are 0-3!!! OMG! I need a paper bag over my head as I watched the game. I hope next week is better for them. I hope!
Anyways, wish me luck tommorow!

8 comments:

Alison said...

That's so sad. Cancer does suck...I'm so sorry.

I can't relate to losing a parent, but I didn't really grow up with my dad either -- he lived 15 hours away for most of my young adulthood. And man, was that hard. Girls need fathers just as much as boys do.

Good luck...can't wait to hear about the run!

Rae said...

Cancer is nothing but suck.

Good luck with the LR!

Jess said...

"Luck"!

teacherwoman said...

Nice poem. Hope your 9 miler went well! I took a pass on my 5K today. Too chilly and wet. I already have the sniffles! :)

Neese said...

firefly that's a beautiful poem, and very nice post, best of luck on your 9 miles you are doing great!

Wes said...

That's a great post! I hope your nine miles went well!

carmen said...

I'm scared of getting cancer everyday which is a big part of the reason why I run. I like to think that I have a bit of Lance Armstrong in me when I do. I'm sorry to hear that your father was overcome with cancer but it's very inspiring that he was the reason why you were able to complete your first marathon. I'm sure he was the proudest one as you crossed the finish line.

LeahC said...

wonderful post. My parents are such a huge part of my life now and have always been. I cannot imagine one day without them. I am so sorry for your loss.

Glad you like the periogies :-)