As for a
training update since my last blog for those of you keeping track:
Wednesday: It was a little rainy and muggy but I just
jumped onto the road and did the usual 5 mile up and back loop. When I got home I tried to pretend it was a “speed
workout” and run around with the dog to try to wear him out a little bit for
the evening.
Thursday:
(last evening): With the rain and
muddiness it was back onto the blacktop road to run about 5 ½ added a little
bit on the way home and turned back around.
I need to start find a few new routes to switch up a little bit.
As for my
blog today…I’m asking for a little bit of “Feedback” on this blog (Comments
suggested, just click the comment on this button at the bottom of the blog) to kick off the weekend. I
can ramble for days (as you’ve noticed) about what dad means to me, inspired
me, has done for me, etc. One thing I want more than anything through
this journey is to express to those not familiar with our dad...just how our dad has inspired
YOU, meant to YOU, Influenced YOU, done for YOU. I
want all the newcomers to our blog to see just how much this man has done for
so many others. I hope my stories are incredible and fantastic, but the power of everyone else’s is that much more
valuable in this journey. So today and for future readers
of this particular blog entry, I ask for you to share your story of my dad for
others to see. I look to share this blog
and our journey in many ways (I keep learning more opportunities) and I may
need a little bit of help in doing so in case my words aren’t powerful enough….I
mean…we are doing this as a team J
So let the
weekend and stories begin….(Happy Friday and long run weekend everyone!)
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| Even when mobility started to create a struggle for dad you saw him at Cross Country meets with the assitance of a cane cheering on and coaching. |
Event Fundraising Website:
well...I don't know where to begin. Since he is my dad too, I have so much I could say. I keep a lot of it all held in and sometimes I do sit down and write just to work through all of my emotions. Dad has always been my biggest supporter and the person who I turned to when I needed to talk. He was there to help me throught some of the biggest moments of my life. When I met Troy, I knew right away that he was "the one." I was riding in the car with Dad heading to the lake and I said, "how did you know that Mom was 'the one'?" I can't remember word for word what he said, but he sure guided me in the right direction. He was even the one with me and Troy in the delivery room when Sophie was born. He just didn't want to miss a second of that. While I was having contractions, he fed me ice chips and kept Troy calm. The nurses were all nervous because Dad didn't have very good balance. He was already having a lot of difficulties due to his disese. I wish I could still have talks with him like I use to, but I take whatever I can still get. I could go on, and on, and on, but I won't. I am so glad that my dad was a teacher and a coach beacuse he was able to touch so many lives and his legacy gets to live on through ALL of US who he has touched! Love you Dad!!
ReplyDeleteI hope to apologize as I didn't realize the difficulty in leaving a comment if you didn't have certain accounts, so I am going to relay some of the comments I had sent to me
ReplyDeleteFrom Aaron Cogar: your dad has influenced me a lot every since i had him for the i don't know if u remember this or not but the Right Way Basketball Camp...he inspired me to play basketball
ReplyDeleteFrom Bryan Ireland: i loved him as a coach and a friend. He was like my dad. i loved to play for him in football.....i would die for him. i would play till i could not walk. he was the best...:)
ReplyDeleteFrom Jan Hughes: I first got to know Terry when he coached my kids in basketball at the middle school level. Terry was such a role model and motivator. He was able to develop each athlete into his/her very best. He never demeaned or screamed and always showed the kids respect and they responded by having utmost respect for him.
ReplyDeleteSeveral years later, Terry and I worked together at Ritchie County Middle School. We could always count on Terry to support us in some of our crazy Title I projects and reward activities. Again it was obvious that he would do almost anything for the kids. I will never forget the laughs we shared during lunch. His stories were hysterical and gave us the comic relief we needed especially when we had a stressful day.
Terry is a dear friend and was a wonderful coach and mentor to my children. Love you Terry!
From Sandy Merritt: Your dad inspired me a lot during the days when you and Tara were in the twirling corp. I remember how he attended each and every event you were in and how he participated in our fund raisers. He was great. I need to look for a tape I still have where you can see the parents sitting in the stands. He was always in the picture.
ReplyDeleteI am reading your blog because a dear high school friend sent me your link. She said everything she reads your blog she thinks of me and my dad. He, too, has Parkinsons Disease. We are in the very advanced stages and well, it's just plan hard. In our family, we refer to Parkinsons as"the beast", and it js our mission to help Daddy tame the best. Daddy has been the rock in our family my whole life. I have days of anger, days of grief, and days of feeling blessed. Last August we were told we may have six months, seeing as those six months have come and gone, each and every day is a blessing. - which truth be told is how we all should look at every day. My dad has never been an idle man, worked hard his entire life and passed that work ethic to each of us. It breaks my heart to see him struggle with the simplest of tasks, walking, and yes even eating and breathing. I hope to follow your blog as much as possible, and please know my family will keep your Dad and family in our daily prayers!
ReplyDeleteCarla, that post means so much. We all have different stories to share(and I want everyone too so those who don't understand can see what this disease does, we struggeld at first understanding the disease because there wasn't a lot known of it) and I've realized how important the support is through all of this. It is a battle where its a give and take of understanding how to accept it, and make the most out of it all while fighting for a cure for it. Please know we think and pray for all families who struggle and make the most out of this just like we have, and please keep in touch. If there is anything we can do to help you or lift your dad's spirts up just send me a note. I know how much those random acts have meant to my dad. Thank you so much for writing this comment,
ReplyDelete