Run for my dad

[AndG]

Emotional run for me and first one since Saturday. My lovely, kind, funny dad passed away on Monday.

I nearly talked myself out of going out but so glad I did. Beautiful evening, slight breeze and as I ran past the cattle market made me smile (my dad was a dairy farmer) memories of him taking us to market when he sold cattle and we could go in ring while he was leading round cattle for people to check them out before bidding started. (This was 1980’s pre health & safety!!)

Life is precious and needs to be appreciated. This run was really good for me.

[Jullaly Graduate]

So very sorry to hear of your loss. I am married to a farmer so I fully appreciate the cattle market story and the type of man he must have been. Take care of yourself and he will have been so very proud of you to be able to get up and get running, x

[AndG Graduate in reply to Jullaly]

Thanks so much. I think he would be pleased that I went out for a run I hope he knows somehow. It really cleared my head and helped me remember some of good things and not think of his recent illness (he had late stage Alzheimer’s).

Most farmers I have met share a similarity lovely thing to say that you understood story! Thanks x

[Flaraflarkin Graduate]

A beautiful way to relive your precious memories, you will always have those ❤ Take care of yourself and thank you for sharing 😊

[AndG Graduate in reply to Flaraflarkin]

Thanks, I was glad I went out. I miss him so much but being out in open air running I felt I could think in a clearer calmer way and remember some of good times not just feel sad about him not being here

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Your Dad would be proud of you keeping yourself fit and active, and running really does help you get through life's ups and downs.

[AndG Graduate in reply to IannodaTruffe]

I really felt so much better after. Gave me thinking time in a more calm reflective way. Could feel wind in my hair and sun was shining. Thought about my dad lots and all the things he did for me. You are right running definitely helps

[JoP61 Graduate]

Very sorry to hear that your Dad passed away. Well done for getting out there. I was brought up in a small market town where the cattle market (now built over with new houses) was a focus for the town every Tuesday. All the farmers would come into town with their cattle, and the pubs were open all day (didn't happen any other day).

Sounds like you have lovely memories of your Dad and your childhood.

So glad that the running is helping you.

[AndG Graduate in reply to JoP61]

Thanks Jo definitely helped, yes lots of lovely memories

[18Windmill Graduate]

Sending you lots of love at this time. Lovely memories. Xxx

[AndG Graduate in reply to 18Windmill]

Thank-you x

[Lorijay Graduate]

So sorry to hear of your sad loss. Sending lots of kindness and like others have said, be gentle with yourself. So glad the run also provided some nice memories. Take special care.

[AndG Graduate in reply to Lorijay]

Thanks Lorijay lots of memories and run definitely did help.

[Tartiflette Graduate]

Such a lovely, warm, smiley picture you've shared.

Sorry for your loss AndG, keep looking after yourself x

[AndG Graduate in reply to Tartiflette]

Thanks, this picture was taken before he was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and is one of my favourites x

[GoGo_JoJo Graduate]

My heart goes out to you. Losing your Dad is a life changing event that there's no going back from.

I'm glad you did go out and that you had such an uplifting experience.

I'm sure he'd be delighted with the good memories coming out along the way.

It's so important to keep remembering the good times and the best times. 🌹

[AndG Graduate in reply to GoGo_JoJo]

Thanks so much, very kind words. I think running really does help I hope that I can continue to drag myself out of house as it gives perspective and helps you appreciate the good times x

[Sandraj39 Graduate]

So sorry for you loss. Run when you can and be kind to yourself when you can't. I know it helped me a lot after the loss of my Mum a couple of years ago and I hope it does for you too.

[AndG Graduate in reply to Sandraj39]

Thanks found run helped not sure that I will feel like that every day but glad to hear that it helped you when you lost your mum. Horrible experience losing a parent x

[Catbee Graduate]

Sending you virtual hugs and love 💖

[AndG Graduate in reply to Catbee]

Thanks Catbee x

[davelinks Graduate]

Sorry about your dad, I assume he lived to a good age, probably partly down to doing a job he loved, farming, well done going out, a run really can help clear the head and stress...😊

[AndG Graduate in reply to davelinks]

Thanks Dave. He was 75 unfortunately he had Alzheimer’s and was quite poorly towards end. He did, up until a couple of years ago, lead a very full active life and loved his cows and the farm.

Run definitely helped

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Lovely... Dad was watching and smiling.... well done you xx

[AndG Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

Thanks Oldfloss I really hope he was x

[Martin_Rose Graduate]

Hi, really sorry to hear about your Dad's passing, my Dad died 5 years ago. He would be so proud of you today and always. Take care of yourself. X

[AndG Graduate in reply to Martin_Rose]

Thanks lovely kind words Martin. Sorry you lost your dad too, it’s a hard thing to go through x

[ancientrunner Graduate]

Sorry to hear about your dad - it is a hard time in life. That is such a lovely photograph.

[AndG Graduate in reply to ancientrunner]

Thanks so much. It is a hard time sometimes an effort to be positive and remember good times. Run definitely helped x

[Thriftyvickie Graduate]

So sorry for your loss. So glad you’ve got some beautiful memories

[AndG Graduate in reply to Thriftyvickie]

Thanks x

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate]

So sorry for your loss AndG. Your dad will always be with you, watching over you and being proud of you...

Take care.xx

[AndG Graduate]

Thanks x

[Mummycav Administrator Graduate]

So sorry for your loss AndG .,,running is a great opportunity for us to be at one with our thoughts..,even if we run with tears, our memories of loved ones come flooding back.,.sending you a big hug xx

[AndG Graduate in reply to Mummycav]

Thanks mummycav definitely found that. Running is my thinking time and think being out in fresh air helps you feel more positive along with fact that when you’re doing exercise you are doing something to look after yourself x

[Couch-potato]

So sorry for your loss. My 17 year old son is training at agricultural college and works part time at a dairy farm mostly looking after the calves. Glad you have such happy memories your Dad would be pleased you carried on your running. 😊

[AndG Graduate in reply to Couch-potato]

Lovely message thanks and glad to hear new generation of farmers out there! Lovely job for your son, sounds like he is enjoying his training. I think my dad would be pleased yes that I went out for a run x

[Decker]

Your Dad sounds like he was a great man and I’m sure he was smiling down on you while you ran. I think he’d be proud.

[AndG Graduate in reply to Decker]

Thanks Decker

[AndG Graduate]

He was a real character! I miss him very much. He will always be in my heart. Thanks for your message.

[WendyHC Graduate]

So sorry to hear about your loss. I often think about my mum when I run. She died nearly 2 years ago from complications of diabetes and heart problems. I started running a year ago motivated to try and postpone similar ill health so I guess she is running beside me. Look after yourself.

[AndG Graduate in reply to WendyHC]

Thanks Wendy. Loss of parent is v hard sorry you have experienced too. Glad that you got into running to look after yourself and sure your mum would be proud of you.

[JGalv Graduate]

Sorry about your Dad, we want them to be around forever and when they are not it is heartbreaking, my Dad passed away in October and it is an awful time, but memories are ours to keep forever x

[GoGo_JoJo Graduate in reply to JGalv]

Dads are heroes and heroes never really die. It's a shock to the system in more ways than one but they live on within us. I lost my Dad 4yrs ago next month and I still talk to him a lot. Hold on to those memories and remember the laughs and smiles 🤗💗

[AndG Graduate in reply to GoGo_JoJo]

Thanks lovely message ❤️ I feel desolate at moment but I do find running helps x

[GoGo_JoJo Graduate in reply to AndG]

It's a strange strange time. 😔 I equated it to being given membership to an exclusive club that we never applied to join. Once a member finding the exit is impossible. The severing of that particular cord seems much more than the umbilical.

My father and I by chance discussed funerals not too long before his own (very unexpected and way, way too soon at 56). He said it's a time to remember that a man's (or woman's) life has ended, all that they were and all they would become is at an end.

Celebrate all that he was, be proud of all that he became and remember and rejoice in all that he loved.

Desolate is a very good word for it, but it will ease, it will release its grip.

Look after yourself 💗