So many of you will have marked this day in your own special ways and some may not have the opportunity to do so. Some of us will have thanked our dads in our own quiet way.    A father plays an important role for some of us, and mine definitely did, in fact, he still does. Yesterday, I ran my 8th Leeds 10k race,  as I was limbering up getting ready to run I found myself somewhat emotional. The race started outside the Parkinson’s steps of the University of Leeds where I did both my bachelors and Masters degree. As I looked up at the stairs I remembered my convocation day when my dad and I were having our photos taken on those steps. My father had a beaming smile, he was so proud of the fact that one of his children had made it to this university. I found something stuck in my throat and tears welling up because I felt so grateful that I had a dad that cared so much about my education.  

At the start of the race I find myself getting into a special state. The body, heart, emotions and the head all become focused, and aligned ready to run.  This race meant so much to me because it was my 8th Leeds 10k and also, because it happen to be on Father’s day. My running ‘career’ began following the death of my dad as I needed a reason to keep going, and the analogy of taking one step then another aptly mirrors my journey of grief and running. To begin with, I was running away from myself but now I am running for myself, and to myself.  Every year since my dad’s death I have done this race except for one year, and this year I noted something different. My heart is strong and so are my legs.    Our body carries our emotions.  Self care is not just about going to bed in a timely manner and having a good night’s sleep which of course is very important, it is also about doing things that we fear in order to grow. For so many runners  it was their first ever 10k. Even though that was not the case for me it meant a great deal to complete and do so 3 minutes and 4 seconds quicker than my last 10k which I did as a test run 21 days ago. My father gave me so much than I can acknowledge in words.  In my father’s day card which I still buy after all this time, I thanked my dad for my past, my now and my future as where ever I am in life I will always carry a piece of him. When I am pushing myself out of my comfort zone I think of him first. My tattoo that I had done on father’s day exactly five years ago with ‘Love you Dado’ always gives me the power I need to push further than what I thought I was ever capable of.  Father’s day is to celebrate fathers and their influence on our lives. Mine made a huge imprint on my life as if it wasn’t for him, I would not be the person I am today.    So when I put my best self forward I do so as my father’s proud and grateful daughter.  

If you are blessed to have a great dad tell him you love him and tell him what he means to you. Learn the lessons of life from your dad.

Peace be with you.

© DMP

19th June 2023