Dear Dad

lorro

I think it's wonderful that your Father's love inspires you still to be a better man. What better tribute to him could there be?

cior

Thank you for sharing a part of your life with us! It is greatfully appreciated Thank you again

Buddhasmiracle

Dear Dad,

You died 2 years ago today and I miss you. You were loving, judged people by their character, laughed often, were really smart, and wickedly funny. With these things, I am trying to follow in your footsteps.

But Dad, you gave up in your 40's. You stopped eating right, exercising, and had a sedintary lifestyle. You died young. I'm in my 40s and had a physical and I was becoming you. I joined MFP, you would like it, it has so many great and funny people. I listed your life as my inspiration to get better. I wont be following your footsteps with this.

Every time I don't want to go to the gym- I remember how you couldn't walk up stairs and I go workout.
Every time I don't want to eat right- I remember how large and uncomfortable you were in your own skin and I eat healthy
Every time I want to sit around and do nothing- I remember all the events and people you missed and I go live life.

The greatest and worst gift you ever gave me was showing me what my life would be if I didnt change. I have become a healthier person, I'm sure you would be proud.

I miss you dearly,
your son

:sad: I can sympathise. My Daddy left this earth at age 41. He is one of my inspirations because he was a diabetic, and I saw what he went through. Unfortunately, he did not do it to himself. He was a tiny 10 year old boy thin as a rail when he was diagnosed. I miss him so much. The 21st would have been his 50th birthday. I want to make him proud by becoming healthy and avoiding diabetes. He would have wanted that for me. He was type 1 and I had to give him his shots, as a small child that is a heavy lesson to carry with me. Mom is now a type 2. She is only a little overweight, and it was a shock because she is not a sweet eater. She thinks that she got it from a blood tranfusion, it has never been proven but it does make sense because she wasn't diabetic before she received 2 units of blood and now she is. And the thing is that type 2 diabetes means your enzymes don't cooperate with the insulin your pancreas secretes, your pancreas is working but your blood doesn't break it down and metabolize it to regulate blood glucose levels. I don't know but either way, both parents had/have it and I don't want it. I can't stand to be pricked in the finger, I know the new machines test the arm but I still want to avoid diabetes at all costs. So in short, my Daddy is my inspiration too, I want to wear his coats, he was so tiny, I need to make it to at least a size 10 to fit in them. My Mommy is and inspiration too, Since she was diagnosed she has been strict with her diet and is regulating it with her diet and natural supplements. I am very proud of her. I need to follow her example. I eat sweets still and I am considered morbidly obese according to my Wii Fit. I am trying to change that. So here :drinker: is to your Daddy and may his memory live on in you forever. I know he is proud. :smooched:

Wish I could give both of you a big hug. Thank you for reminding me of love lost.

cloud2011

Amazing letter to your Dad. I lost my husband at 46 just over a year ago. He and I were working on changing our lives. However it was too little too late. He died of a heart attack walking home from the gym. I miss him everyday. He and I started oru weight loss journey together 3 years ago and since then I have lost 130 pounds but am finding myself sliding back into old bad habits so I'm back on MFP to regain my strength and dertimination because my husband would have wanted me to keep going. I'm back and I'm ready to lose the next 40 lbs.

I'm sorry for your loss and best wishes on continuing your journey to better health. You're really an inspiration.

rmchapman4

This is very well- composed. Thank you for sharing; it has inspired me also!

Debbe2

This could be a letter to my mom. She died at age 53 and I miss her every day. Thank you for sharing with everyone! :flowerforyou:

cloud2011

That's really a touching letter to your father. I'm so sorry for your loss. I'm sure your father would be proud of you.

kbmnurse

Touching. He must be proud of you looking down from wherever he might be.

lmd172

how insightful and touching...thank you for sharing that bit of you!

TheLongRunner

Beautifully written. I could totally relate to this as I lost my mom a little over a year ago and she had similar struggles! Thanks for sharing this.

Pifflesmom

That's beautiful - I could have written it myself. Sometimes we need to remember WHY we are really doing this - yes, we all want to look good, but feeling better and being healthy is the best thing of all.

I'm sorry for your loss - I lost my own dad 7 years ago and there isn't a day I don't think about him. I know he's always with me - I just can't see him.

:flowerforyou:

zmzmzm19

Thank you for sharing....a very heartfelt message. So sorry for your loss, but congratulations to you on being determined to turn a sad situation into a positive, life-changing one. I am sure your Dad is very proud of you. Best wishes and continued success to you.:flowerforyou:

mdcjmom

I am sure this was a very hard letter to write but it was beautiful! Thank you so much for sharing something so close to your heart...

tageekly

Painful but memorable lessons. So sorry about your loss, and that your dad couldn't turn his life around the way you have. :flowerforyou:

7funnygirl7

INSPIRING!!!!!! Your story is now my "new inspiration for continuing my journey with a whole different attitude. Thanks for sharing with us your sorrow that turned into something wonderful. "Gotta get a tissue"...*sniffle sniffle*

sproeber89

This is great, I too have parents who haven't had the greatest lifestyles. I got engaged and told my dad that with how his health is going (I'm a nurse) that he won't be there to walk me down the aisle...he now goes to the gym 5 days a week and is slowly working on it and I couldn't be more proud

nicehormones

I am sure your father would be so very proud of you for changing your life around for the better. What an excellent decision you have made.

bushidowoman

I'm sorry for your loss. My Daddy also died too young, almost 6 years ago, and I still miss him greatly.

dakitten2

What a wonderful letter. I have my Dad also to thank for my journey. Thankfully he is still with us at 76. He's had major heart attacks and doesnt follow any kind of healthy lifestyle. He is prone to falling over his own feet and has been to ortho rehab several times. His encouragement was for me to not follow in his footsteps and for me not to die before him.

He is the first person to call me every single Thursday and ask "how much weight did you lose". He tells me multiple times how proud he is of me and everyone else he talks to. LOL He knows to the pound how much I have lost, yet he couldnt tell you his own phone number.

I'm so sorry you lost your father so young. My father and I had been separated for quite a number of years due to some family issues. Happily we reunited 2 years ago and I have seen him daily every since. I cherish every moment we have together. I'm also my parents primary caregiver and thankful that I only 3/4 of a mile from them so I can be there to help them with things they can no longer do.

967_1111

Sending you a bro-hug - you know, a brief hug, two slaps on the back, and we both look away after as we hide the tears.

Thanks for sharing. I'm fortunate enough to still have my Dad, and he's now 73, but this reminds me that he won't be with us forever.

Thanks.

gwenlindsay

You are a brave and strong man and don't you ever forget it. This is a beautiful letter and your dad would be proud of you. Thank you for sharing.

Caffeine_Addict

*hugs* my dad basically killed himself with food. 19 yrs ago next month. I'd like to say it gets easier. it just gets different.
my heart goes out to u and the others who have lost in this thread. Thanks for sharing *hugs*

GeneaCindy

Thanks for sharing. It's amazing how inspiring our parents can be even after their passing.

jrsey86

Powerful.

I look at my family and I think the same things. Many have set great examples, while others leave something to be desired. We pick and choose the lessons we learn from our parents. I'm glad you chose to learn this lesson.

Best of luck to you, friend. Thank you for the heartfelt post.

Laoch_Cailin

Beautiful and heart breaking letter. I am sure your dad is looking down on you and is incredibly proud. Keep looking after yourself and I'm sure he'll help xxxx

hapoo100

Thank you all sincerely. We share so many similar stories. I just feel fortunate that we still have the time now to do things right. Much love to all of you :flowerforyou:

DanTheRunningMan

Man, that could have been my own dad you were writing about. He made it a few more years than yours, but quit on himself, sounding eerily like your dad in so many ways. I'm sorry for your loss but grateful for the inspiration and moment of reflection you just gave us. And your words only multiplied the pride I feel toward my MFP friends who have the perspective and far-sightedness to take care of themselves now.

esphixiet

My father died of a heart attack, a month before his 52nd birthday.
He'd had a heart attack when I was 5, had quadruple bypass surgery, and was told by his doctors that if he didn't change his lifestyle (smoker, overweight), the surgery would last 5 years, if he did, it would last 18. After those 18 years passed, we all began to fear for his health; He'd kicked the smoking, but hadn't gotten his weight in check. My sister, before he died, wrote a letter akin to yours. My dad didn't quit, he just didn't win.

His death was the kick in the teeth that I needed to get my own weight in check. 7 years later and 50lbs gained, this post is a pretty solid kick in the pants to remind me of what I lost because of our genes, and lack of motivation.
Thank you.

JingleMuffin

My dad is still with us but at 52 hes got a lot of work to do. i worry about him everyday. thought about him when i read that letter. it was beautiful thank you.

jenbk2

That was a perfect letter to him. He is so proud of you.