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Women Run … because of their dads.

I’m often asked where I got my self confidence and each time I respond with a resounding “my dad”. From an early age he told me I could do anything and I believed him. Never questioned it. He would sit perfectly still for hours and read a book while I practiced drawing him. My father took me to art classes at the local university when I out grew my elementary school art teacher. He stood on the side of the road and cheered me on as I ran my first road race – held on Father’s Day. He watched me play field hockey and bike race, he pushed me uphill on skis so I could glide oh so graciously down. In turn I picked up his spontaneity and willingness to try just about anything. I flew with him when he wanted to take flying lessons, I climbed ladders to paint our house and repair the roof with him. I was “daughter #3” as he often referred to me. He let me jump at any good opportunity that presented itself.

Teacher by day, lifeguard during his summer breaks, always willing to help my mom around the house and play with us while she did whatever it is that moms do! He washed the kitchen floor every Sunday morning before church while Polka music was blasting in the background. Thursday nights he went grocery shopping. Must have been pay day. He spent 25 years in the 5th grade as a school teacher. My parents raised four children on a teachers salary and not once did I realize money was tight.

I do however, remember the day the tables turned and my confidence was tested.  I was filling out college applications and in those days they were filled out by hand and sent snail mail. I received one on a Thursday after field hockey practice and it was due the following Monday. This meant I had less than 24 hours to complete the application and mail it back. Hmm, one night to write several essays. Well, I did it. I finished my essays and illustrated them in crayon – it said to be creative! When I asked my father for the check for the application fee….the first shred of doubt reared it’s ugly head. He blew his top! I had two older sisters in college so he knew what was coming, but for some reason this application had him in a tizzy! I’m not paying for you to apply to this school, do you know it’s an Ivy League? I was applying for the architecture program and at the time this was the #1 architecture school in the country. What makes you think you can get into such a good school? I just looked at him thoroughly puzzled and said – “You, you told me I could”. Well, needless to say he eventually wrote the check, the application was mailed on time and when the acceptance letter arrived it had a hand written note praising the creative application.

As my father ages and his energy starts to dwindle – we encourage him to try new things and go on trips and new adventures and to believe in his own ideas. We help him with home repairs as he has done with each and every one of us. When my mother fell and needed constant attention and care – the strong children my parents raised stepped in to help. All four children are career driven and raising families of their own. The confidence he built in us will never fade. When people ask me why I started Women Run I think of my father. It was his voice that helped build my healthy ego. If I can be that voice for just one woman or girl and make a difference then I have done my job. But if I can help two girls or maybe even three… If I can encourage a mom to believe in herself and she in turn can encourage her daughters, then I have succeeded. It only takes one person believing in you to make a difference. My dad was that person.

My father is one reason I started to run and chose to forge my own path. Thanks Dad!  So to all the dads out there who don’t think your daughters are listening, you couldn’t be more wrong.

Happy Father’s Day! ;)

 

-Kyra

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