My dad would not claim to be the healthiest person; he actually is proud of the fact that he smokes too much, drinks too much, eats gobs of red meat, potatoes and gravy, and exercises little (beyond 4 hours of golf every Sunday).
What could I have learned about health from an "UN"-healthy kind of guy!?
I learned how not to be the "health police" or "health nazi". I learned that it is more important to have fun, love life, be daring when you need to be, relax often, and "enjoy the ride".
I do have a specific memory of my dad, related to physical activity:
My dad and I share the love of softball; he played on his company league, and I have played teeball/softball since I was a little girl. My last official team was in high school, but I have continued to play into my mid-30s in City Leagues until the past year.
During my last game in high school, I had a great hit and was rounding the base at 3rd to go towards home plate, when I saw that the catcher was thrown the ball. I was assessing whether to back-up to 3rd or slide into home, when she threw the ball straight down the 3rd-base line...and right into my face. All I remember was laying on the ground, a dozen people looking at me. One person said, "oh, and she had such a pretty face...". What did they mean "HAD?!" Someone helped me sit upright, and the blood started gushing (at the time...I had no idea where it was coming from!). Found out, I had a broken nose.
What does this have to do with my dad?! It is absolutely hilarious--I got in his car, and he drove me to the doctor. My mom and sister were following us in my mom's car. I was laughing and joking with my dad (the pain didn't start until later than night), and my dad said, "watch this!" and sped over the speed bumps. I looked back at my mom, her knuckles white grasping the steering wheel, her face pale from fear after watching her child get pummeled by a ball (why do they call it a "soft" ball?!), while my dad is making her chase us in the car.
I am not sure how much trouble my dad got in that evening from my mom (ha!), but his way of helping me laugh and "get in trouble" with my mom was a bonding moment, and probably his way of dealing with his fear of the unknown about my face, too. Dads have a great way of making light of a situation, all the while they are taking it very seriously. He was nurturing AND making me laugh...quite a gift!
From that experience, I have taken away some great life-lessons that laughter really is the best medicine, physical health is just one aspect of a person, and enjoying life, surrounding yourself with love and nurturing people, working hard and playing hard...that's what life is all about. Oh, and probably to my dad's disappointment this means he IS healthy: in the social, emotional and mental aspects of health and wellness. I'm still working on his physical health! :-)
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My dad would not claim to be the healthiest person; he actually is proud of the fact that he smokes too much, drinks too much, eats gobs of red meat, potatoes and gravy, and exercises little (beyond 4 hours of golf every Sunday).
What could I have learned about health from an "UN"-healthy kind of guy!?
I learned how not to be the "health police" or "health nazi". I learned that it is more important to have fun, love life, be daring when you need to be, relax often, and "enjoy the ride".
I do have a specific memory of my dad, related to physical activity:
My dad and I share the love of softball; he played on his company league, and I have played teeball/softball since I was a little girl. My last official team was in high school, but I have continued to play into my mid-30s in City Leagues until the past year.
During my last game in high school, I had a great hit and was rounding the base at 3rd to go towards home plate, when I saw that the catcher was thrown the ball. I was assessing whether to back-up to 3rd or slide into home, when she threw the ball straight down the 3rd-base line...and right into my face. All I remember was laying on the ground, a dozen people looking at me. One person said, "oh, and she had such a pretty face...". What did they mean "HAD?!" Someone helped me sit upright, and the blood started gushing (at the time...I had no idea where it was coming from!). Found out, I had a broken nose.
What does this have to do with my dad?! It is absolutely hilarious--I got in his car, and he drove me to the doctor. My mom and sister were following us in my mom's car. I was laughing and joking with my dad (the pain didn't start until later than night), and my dad said, "watch this!" and sped over the speed bumps. I looked back at my mom, her knuckles white grasping the steering wheel, her face pale from fear after watching her child get pummeled by a ball (why do they call it a "soft" ball?!), while my dad is making her chase us in the car.
I am not sure how much trouble my dad got in that evening from my mom (ha!), but his way of helping me laugh and "get in trouble" with my mom was a bonding moment, and probably his way of dealing with his fear of the unknown about my face, too. Dads have a great way of making light of a situation, all the while they are taking it very seriously. He was nurturing AND making me laugh...quite a gift!
From that experience, I have taken away some great life-lessons that laughter really is the best medicine, physical health is just one aspect of a person, and enjoying life, surrounding yourself with love and nurturing people, working hard and playing hard...that's what life is all about. Oh, and probably to my dad's disappointment this means he IS healthy: in the social, emotional and mental aspects of health and wellness. I'm still working on his physical health! :-)
June 18, 2009 - 3:31pmThis Comment
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