It seems to me there is a connection between them. When I lost my dad in June of 2020, he had asked me to go to his doctor’s appointments with him. This honored me because he was a doctor. The doctor I took all my medical questions to. Whether they be about my children, Mike, or myself.
I had treatment in 2018 and asked my oncologist in Hays if he would see him as a patient when he was diagnosed with colon cancer. He wasn’t taking new patients and said he would. Those are the special doctors like my dad – the ones that go out of their way for their patients.
A few days ago, I found Dad’s blog. The first post was on May 18, 2018, a few days before I graduated from the Equine Gestalt Coaching Program® and about a month before Mike died is below.
My Amazing Daughter
As most of you know Susan has been fighting breast cancer since last fall. She has almost completed her chemo, probably radiation to follow. She has lost much of her hair, but has had few other side effects. Susan has been taking care of Mike, her husband for two years, or so. They make frequent trips to KUMC for his care. In spite of that she has completed a two year course to become a therapist using her horses to treat mental problems. She also has a son, John, who will be a senior in high school next fall. She and Mike follow John to his school events. Susan is also a photographer, taking many shots of other high school activities. When asked how she feels, she always responds with “I’m wonderful!”
Susan is also writing a blog about her life https://connectionandsynergy.com/. She is truly an amazing woman.
A Tribute to the Three Incredible Fathers in My Life
I share this to celebrate not only my dad. I share it to honor the three amazing men who had the most influence in my life.
My grandfather either gave me horses or was the breeder of the lineage that I carried on in my breeding program and took me to events. Whether I was riding in them, we were watching his horses’ race, or we were looking at stallions to breed to his mares he included me. I credit all the horses that have been in my life directly to him except for the last two who I would say he’s indirectly responsible for because of the passion he instilled in me.
My father indulged his little girl in her love of horses even though it wasn’t something he was interested in. He also took me to events that I was participating in. This was no easy feat for the only doctor in a small rural county.
My husband who I met because of a horse. He indulged my love of horses, and I don’t think I would have had horses remain in my life without him.
I’m grateful to have had all three of them.
Dad was a sensitive man. Like most men of his age, he was taught not to show emotion. He never said that he thought I was amazing to me.
Mike was the same. I heard from at least three people after he died that he had told them he was proud of me. I came to realize the ways he showed his love. It took years and it made our relationship better.
Mike didn’t get a daughter – we had three sons. When I was pregnant with two of them, he told me if it was a girl he was going to kick us both out. I think a daughter would have had him wrapped around her finger. I also think he would have been enamored by his granddaughter had he met her.
Happy Father’s Day.
Make a Connection in the comments below.
Onward!
