On a Serious Note: A Dad’s Mortality

I am a former Division I College Athlete. I attended college on a track and field scholarship. I still run, I work out at least three times a week. I haven’t had fast food in 30 years. I don’t eat sweets, I don’t drink soda and I drink more than eight glasses of water a day.

Yet as I sit here writing this I’m struggling with the fact that a recent physical labeled me as being at risk for heart issues due to family history and my triglyceride levels. How the hell is this possible? There’s got to be mix up right? You’d be hard pressed to find many people who live a healthier lifestyle than me. Yes, I do enjoy a good IPA when I’m in the mood, and don’t skip out on a few slices of pizza if we order it, but how did this happen and what does it mean moving forward?

This blog has been amazing in two ways, one it let’s me record Jackson’s journey growing up and two it’s allowed me to come to terms with some of my own issues…both funny and more serious ones. I have yet to discuss my fear of death. Although that is a whole separate issue it still plays a role in today’s writing…

Dealing with my own mortality. I have lost family members and friends way too early in life. My grandfather passed away when I was nine, my godfather, my aunt, my grandmother… A former teammate. How do I deal with the fact that my health, something I prided myself in maintaining could become an issue for me.

I’m sure there are medications I can take and certain foods I can avoid if I’m not already… But that’s not the issue for me. The mental part is what I have always wrestled with. But now, it’s not just me I’m worried about. It’s Jax. I don’t want to miss anything and I don’t want him to have to worry about me.

I’m not sure this entry had a point or was worth reading for anyone… Or if it even had a point. Hopefully for me though it will open up some doors that I previously didn’t want to open. The plan is to spend some more time thinking this through and doing a short series of writings on this topic, which will hopefully give some advice and generate some talk on the subject of healthy lifestyles.