We were vacationing in da U.P. as usual that summer and decided to see the Falls. Mom and Dad had come up for a few days and so went with us. While there I thought it would be cool to hike the trail. It was after the words expressing that wish came out of my mouth that I felt a pang of regret and concern. You see, Pops was between cancer treatments at the time and about six weeks ahead of scheduled surgery to remove a kidney. After I had opened my yap, he decided that walking the trail would be cool too. I surely would not have said anything had I thought he'd like the idea.
It was probably the first time I came close to confronting him seriously on anything as it was during the first period that I was really worried about his health. I told myself that maybe I ought to discourage him, with his cancer and all. The tumor was by that point diagnosed as inactive (I'm not sure the more expected term benign was accurate) and the MDs were certain that all other cancerous spots (he had them on his liver and lungs when the disease was initially found) had been eradicated. Still, I wasn't sure a 58 year old man dealing with such ought to be hiking a rough trail through the woods. And what would we do if something happened while we were out there? Yet as a son taught to respect his father's wishes, well, I said nothing and thought I'd just watch him closely. He likely wouldn't be denied anyway.
Damn but if that old man didn't hammer that trail. He more than kept up; he led the way more often than not. He always walked fast anyway, but I wonder if he took the hike to prove he could do it and was further determined to show us he could too. I had feared after his tribulations that his stamina would not allow the full journey. His stamina then proceeded to embarrass mine.
So I'm glad I suggested the hike and I'm glad he walked it with us. It's become a happy and proud memory. And as I'm 58 this year myself, I'm thinking that this summer I'll walk the trail in his honor.
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