Well I’ve joined in the madness that is Race For Life after years of saying that I might. But I’ve not gone for the easy course, nope, I’ll be doing the Pretty Muddy obstacle course with Joy and Emma and thousands of other women.
I hate cancer, passionately. It took my Grandfather. Yes, he was old, but it was not his time. My children were robbed of the best Grandparent ever. He never even met Jen, he’d already died. In fact D attended the funeral in a 2 year sized Gap striped shirt with a teddy bear on the pocket. You see to his friends he was called Ted.
Cancer took the nearest I had to a father from me. It has also taken a few other more distant family members but my Gramps hurt. The irony of it… He quit smoking because I made him. But he had cancer in his throat already, those rollups had been keeping the tumor undetectably small. Regularly poisoning it, stopping it from growing. We didn’t know. You stopped smoking to see me grow up, and it killed you. Me nagging you into a healthy choice killed you. My nagging killed you Gramps. I am sorry.
I remember the day of the funeral crystal clear due to having a photographic memory. I remember the flowers, the route of that hurse, my Nan’s face. I remember the song you went out to. I remember trying not to cry for D, then he said something funny. Someone shushed him and Nan told them “shut up yourself, that’s my grandson! ”
I also remember almost having an actual punch up with the next door neighbour for smoking at Gramps’ wake. I mean, just how heartless is that? Given the cause of death it was out of order. My little sister held me back. I never spoke to the neighbours again!
He taught me how to garden.
He was a remarkable man, he had war medals, but never bragged. He was a Met policeman and saw some awful things, had to protect the majority from riots, had to deliver unthinkable news to relatives after crashes …
Even though he retired he did years of unpaid work promoting police issues, he’d get sent into schools to tell us all about road safety and stranger danger… meaning that the local Bobbies on the payroll were still free to chase the bad guys whilst he scared us all into using seat belts. 😉
A painting of my Grandad by Maxine Meyer.
I still miss him, every single day. But I have a piece of him and Nan. I wear their engagement ring constantly. It almost never comes off. I had to take it off during breast cancer tests when I got a lump, and that made me feel awful. Luckily it wasn’t cancer, I dodged the family’s favourite (well most caught) disease. I also had a close call as a child, and have a scar on my shoulder to prove it.
I am running for you Gramps. F You cancer.
In memory of Ted. (Just Giving link)
Cancer is a dreadful illness. Your granddad sounded like an amazing man, especially for all the work he did promoting police issues even after his death.
Well done you! Your Grandpa sounds like a great man!!
He was. I’ve not done it yet, hahaha. I’m predicting I’ll collapse half way round 😛
Well done you for doing this
He would be so proud of you, Julie you are doing an amazing thing. xx
your Grandad would have been so proud of you. i hope that when you do the run, you don’t actually get pretty muddy and that it’s a lovely day! Will send some sponsor pennies at the end of the month xxxx
Good luck lovely. I’m signed up to my local 5k……Cancer is rife I’m our family and it sucks
Indeed it does suck. :/ Sorry Clare.
I’m sorry for your loss. Pretty muddy sounds interesting, I’ll have to check it out. Good luck 🙂 xx
It is the thing I hate most, can’t even say it. Good for you doing the race and lets hope every month we are one step forward to being able to know more about and treat such a dreadful illness. So sorry for your loss x
awww i also have my mums engagement which i wear everyday
Hi, Fiona is also do the Muddy Run with her work. She is also running for Gramps.
I am sure he would be so proud of you Julie xx
Sounds like an amazing man. I lost my grandfather to cancer last year – it is a horrible disease. Good luck with the run. Stephen :o)
What an incredible protrait of your Grandfather – both your words, and the painting by Maxine Meyer. Cancer seems to have affected so many of us, including a couple of my own close family members. Good on you for running.
Terrible disease but lovely memories of a lovely sounding Man. Same horrible thing took my lovely Nana 🙁
What a wonderful post and so beautifully told. Your grandad sounds like he was an incredible man and it must be great to have such fond memories. Well done to you for doing Race for Life. Best of luck xxx
well done to you for doing this xx
I never really got to know my Grandad he died when I was very little – so I’m sure I knew him but I don’t really remember him, he died of bowel cancer which took my aunt as well last year.. I hate it.. Cancer is evil!!!
I have to admit I thought this looked quite a fun challenge and such a great cause too, I think everyone knows someone who has had cancer. My grandad was called Ted too :0)
All the very best for your run. Bet your Granddad would have been proud of you.
Aw that’s a lovely painting. Good luck and well done for doing such a great thing!
Such lovely memories of your grandfather. Race For Life is always a great, but emotional experience – not heard of the muddy version before!
Good luck with the race. I am sure you will do well.
such a sad but lovely post… I am sure your granddad would be proud of you.
I am sorry about your grampy but don’t blame yourself. What a great reason to get around the course. xx