Moving Down Memory Lane

This week Luke and I brought our daughter down to Valdosta, GA to spend time with my family and celebrate Thanksgiving. It was my mom's favorite holiday and is full of traditions for our family. When you have happy memories to look back on it makes traditions feel important and special. Traditions remind us of those good times together, of family and friends who are no longer with us, and help us feel connected to one another through the special times we have shared. Most of our family traditions involve food. Thanksgiving is an obvious food focused holiday, but we can pretty much make any celebration revolve around food: Chili and guacamole on Super Bowl Sunday, sugar cookies for Christmas, Mexican food for many special occasions, and Krispy Kreme donuts anytime the sign says they're hot! It's a good thing my dad has instilled the tradition of running into our family!

Cooking squash casserole from mom's recipe.

My brother makes whipping up all of our favorite 
Thanksgiving foods look easy!

To work up our appetites we often participate in a Turkey Trot 5K or when we were young we would watch dad run the Atlanta Thanksgiving Half Marathon. This year I wasn't able to run, but Luke joined the Jackson family runners.

Dad, Bryce, Luke, Sydney, Landon, and Parker 2016 Turkey Trot

Dad taught me to run. I started my miles in Clarkston, GA, running through the neighborhood or on the PATH trails in Atlanta. The purpose of those miles culminated in the ultimate annual event of the Peachtree Road Race every July 4th. The Peachtree is one of my favorite family traditions. We watched dad run every year. His first year running it was in 1976. My first year running the Peachtree was in 1994 for the 25th anniversary.

My brother Mark greeting dad at the finish line in 1977.

Ryan, Mollie, and I congratulate dad after he finished the Atlanta Thanksgiving Half Marathon in 1993.

Luke and I celebrate our one month wedding anniversary July 4th 2006.

Showing off our t-shirts after the 2006 Peachtree.

Dad has run countless miles in marathons, 10Ks, and 5Ks. He is still running around Dasher, GA everyday, and after having knee surgery added bicycle riding to his routine. This man is my inspiration and has never made me doubt that I could do anything I put my mind to. I was never a particularly athletic child. I attempted playing various sports, but fell short in my abilities for team sports. Dad never stopped encouraging me to get out and play! I finally found my groove in running and have attempted to follow in dad's footsteps mile after mile. 

Dad at the finish of a triathlon with his best cheerleader.

Joining dad for the BRAG: Bicycle Ride Across Georgia.

Dad took me with him on the final leg of the BRAG: Bicycle Ride Across Georgia in 2003. I never would have thought I could bike 60+ miles in one day, but dad taught me how to ride and motivated me mile after mile to the finish line in St. Marys, GA. In 2012 I was able to join dad for the Atlanta Thanksgiving Half Marathon. No longer just a spectator, I was able to participate in this annual tradition with him.

Atlanta Thanksgiving Half Marathon

Taking Cody for a run in Dasher a few years ago.

Dad walked with me on my first walks after surgery. Hopefully he will join us when we travel to Germany to run my marathon! I'll need my first running partner and coach there to cheer me on. Today he took my brother and Luke out on Luke's first bike ride on the road since his wreck.

First road bike ride since the wreck!

My dad inspires me to keep moving. He taught me the love that is running and the life lessons that go along with it. Just put one foot in front of the other and keep moving forward. I love the quote below that hangs up in my Physical Therapy office.

Keep moving one day at a time, one step at a time.