Riding Along

I just wanted to follow up on my mom's last post (she is amazing, is she not?!) Because like she said, we are still happy despite what is happening, and we are seeing miracles every day still. I love, love, love that talk she mentioned by Elder Uchtdorf, especially that quote she shared about the fact that "there is something in each day to embrace and cherish. There is something in each day that can bring gratitude and joy if only we will see and appreciate it." Well here is something I found in my day to embrace and cherish and something that brought me immense gratitude and joy... 

My dad and I went out for a ride! I signed up to do the 1/2 Ironman with my dad and brothers in May and realize that I have a long ways to go and a lot to learn so I asked my dad if he would go for a ride with me so he could teach me how to use the bike...I didn't realize how complex a racing bike was! He hadn't been riding since before his surgery in July, but I still had a hard time keeping up with him! I peppered him with questions the whole way and we had more than a few laughs as I figured out which gears to use :) Lucky me to be learning from the pro!! 

Anyways, as we were out and I was trailing behind him (because not only was he fast but I wanted to draft behind him :)), I kept telling myself how special this was. I couldn't believe that my dad, who had had part of his brain removed and who had just finished his 3rd round of chemo, was out riding his bike. Hard to get much more miraculous than that. I realized what an immense blessing it was to go out riding with him and knew I would never forget it. 

We went out again the next week before the weather got bad, and I loved every second of it. An hour+ to just ride and talk with my dad....doesn't get any better than that. 

Despite the ups and downs that come with the terrible cancer territory, my dad continues to happily ride along on his journey...and I am so grateful that me and my family get to ride alongside him.