Because I refer back to this experience several times a year, I decided to put this in our new (current) blog as well as leave it in our old one.
This was written on June 26, 2010
I couldn't decided whether to share this or not because it is so personal but I figured that I will want to read about it later in our Blog book and so will my kids.
Prologue:
When my dad was just a puppy he got his toes cut off on one foot up to the middle of his arch during a farming accident with some kind of potato conveyor belt. It cut it half way off and his dad had to cut it the rest of the way off. So he had a limp for the rest of his life. This stopped him from doing many of the things that he wanted to do, but I never heard him complain about it and he would often tease us with it. He would even chase some of our new friends without his shoe on. He would run the best he could but of course it was with a limp. This also made his back hurt for many years.
Now:
Doran has a running route that goes past the cemetery and I have one of mine that does the same. Not the same hard hill but another road. Anyway, when we run by we are always saying "Hi" to dad and all the others there. Sometimes when I am having a rough time at that part of my run or if I see Doran struggle going past, I am constantly calling on my dad to help us up the hill.
For the past few weeks I have been training for a Half Marathon. There, I said it out loud. There is a race on August 28 but the 'training' is done the first part of August so I may run once on my own and once for a race. Well anyway, my mileage increases each week. Today was a BEAUTIFUL run! We started up the canyon and ran down to home. It was a total of 8 miles and I finished in 1:10:45. Doran was usually a little bit in front of me but he wouldn't go far. This was not a bad run because it was mostly down hill. So this is why I was a little confused as to what happened.
For the first time I did not use my ipod. I just listened to my breathing, my feet and the vehicles rushing by. Like I said, it was a beautiful run. I did a pretty good job pacing myself the whole time and I was feeling good. About mile 5 all of a sudden my dad popped into my thoughts.
At this time I am wondering why? I am not struggling and calling for his help yet. But then the feeling got stronger. Pretty soon I could feel him running, yes, FEEL him running, on BOTH feet, and young, right next to me on the right side. The feeling was SO strong that I could almost SEE him. He was enjoying the run and I could feel that he was smiling. At this time I am just sobbing while I am running. Doran turned around and saw I had tears just streaming down my face. He came back to see if I was ok. I couldn't say much at the moment and just said "Yes, I'll tell you later." Then he went on ahead again. I felt my dad slowly leave and felt his love and support for me. He was happy with me and for me.
As I write this I am overcome with emotions again. I am so thankful for my testimony of the hereafter, of eternal families, and of the Atonement and how we can all repent and strive to better each day so that we can see our loved ones again.
What a wonderful blessing it was for me to experience this today. I truly ran with angels today. Doran is so good to help me achieve my goals and I now KNOW for sure that my dad will be with me when I need his help. He was always a good supporter in whatever I wanted to do in my life.
What a WONDERFUL day!
