Soldiering On

One of Dad's favourite cricketing stories that I'm sure I've heard a few times of the years is of the time he mistimed a hook and tried to catch the red cherry full in the mouth. He lost a tooth that day but then like a wounded hero, after returning back from hospital, he not only came into bat again but also proceeded to hit a six!

Dad's had a number of subsequent injuries over the years, including various DIY induced knocks and bruises, but the one that really sticks in my memory is from the last time I went skiiing with him. It was the end of a long a particularly tiring day on the slopes and we were heading back to our chalet down a steep and icy red run. Dad had already had a number of little falls that day, I guess he was just building up to a big and spectacular one. Maybe we needed to get back quickly but we must have been going at quite a lick, Dad was just in front of me and looked like he wanted to turn one way but his skis had other ideas...

A tangled confused blur of arms, legs, ski poles and skis tumbled down the mountain in front of me and after a short pause a snow covered body slowly emerged, unfolded and with a grimace stated "I'm alright". The blood dripping down the side of his face (where we think he'd come off worse in fight with his glasses) told a different story and he was obviously quite shaken up and frustrated. This didn't stop him from continuing on though and, more slowly this time, we continued down to our destination.

I'm pleased that when we go skiiing at Christmas this year that Dad will be equipped with a helmet this time! With or without injuries Dad will always be my hero...