Father's Day is fast approaching. For many people the day brings about a wide ranges of emotions. While I am ecstatic for any opportunity to celebrate, these days always dawn with a bit of reflection. This year my thoughts have been captivated by some of the most astounding demonstrators of fatherhood. One of which I would meet on a school yard.
He was a stay at home dad, a rarity among us. Tall and lanky, he would stand alongside me, anxiously waiting for our kindergarten aged daughters to break through the doors for dismissal. He was timely and attentive. I believe that children are affirmed when you light up in their presence. He practiced this belief day in and day out, when his daughter met his eyes. His exuberance for her could fill the entire atmosphere, expelling her into heights unknown. His playful nature extended to all three of his children, whether you caught them fishing in the lake or simply playing in front of their home. His love for his children was only eclipsed by his love of God, who was always on his lips. As fathers go, he was amongst the best I'd ever have the privilege of seeing.
Another example, I'd find through a gym mate's struggle. While my friend battled breast cancer, her husband, and children's father, would serve as her biggest cheerleader. He was an educator and a coach. The conventions of his fathering reached beyond his own two children, extending his touch to many. He stood tall and grand in his stature. His deeds and words would match, as he worked everyday to motivate and inspire. He was a poet and a creative, who was never confined in his verbal expressions of love and admiration for his family.
Two men, shimmering examples of fatherhood. And while the two would never meet, they would share a similar fate. Both would tragically pass away suddenly and prematurely of heart conditions. The first, while performing a good deed for a neighbor. The second, while sitting at a kitchen table, conversing with his wife a few days before Christmas.
As a society, there has been an increasing indifference to the health of our hearts. It has become far too common to shrug off death from a heart attack or undiagnosed heart conditions. Heart Disease is truly a silent killer. It is rapidly taking our fathers, mothers, friends and loved ones at rapid rates. Here are some facts according to the American Heart Association:
Cardiovascular disease is the underlying cause for 1 of every 3 deaths
Cardiovascular disease claims more lives than cancer
92.1 million American adults are living with some form of cardiovascular disease
Heart Disease remains the number 1 cause of deaths in the US
In the cases of these magnificent fathers, they both had conditions that were undetected. Both seemingly healthy, engaged and active in the lives of their families and beyond. Both exiting our spheres too soon, leaving their partners to maintain and carry on in their absences. A few years after mourning the loss of her beloved husband, my gym mate would go own to say goodbye to his brother, who recently fell to complications of the same disease. My father, now in his seventies, has endured a triple bypass, resulting in major life changes. My son, Joshua, was born with a hole in his heart. While it has since closed I remain in front of the issue, developing a strategy of monitoring with our family physician and cardiologist. As he ages, and his activity level as an athlete increases, we will try to leave little to guess in regards to his heart health. These instances drive my diligence in our collective lifestyle choices, levels of physical activity and certainly our nutrition. Complacency leaves too much to chance.
As we go on to celebrate our beloved fathers this weekend, I continue to be inspired by these men as fathers, husbands and mentors. Mostly, as loving guardians of their families, leaving lasting impacts and precious memories in their wakes. Guard your own hearts by making your heart health a priority. Due in part to these fathers, I am steadfast in the guardianship of my own loves, with not a heart to spare.
For more information, statistics and recommendations, please visit the American Heart Associations website, www.heart.org.
