The Most Beautiful Moment of the Day... 500 words. No more. No less.

My sports bra was too small. I noticed that I was bouncing around a little more than usual.

We had started out on the quarter mile track just walking. My father knew that I always did a brisk walk once around to warm up my muscles.

I stretched out as best I could with the eyes of the track team noticing that I didn’t warm up “properly.” Dad kept walking around, feeling confident.

“I haven’t been keeping in good health since the surgery, Liz. Maybe now’s the time to start.”

“Well I would be honored to be a part of that new beginning.”

I started on my mile jog. By no means am I a “runner,” but I have been jogging now for about a month. As I lapped him the first time, he held out his hand to take my t-shirt. Human coat rack, he is. The second time I lapped him he handed me some ice cubes to suck on.

On my last lap I noticed him walking counter clockwise around the track. He hurried to get to the halfway mark before I did.

He wanted to run the home stretch with me.

In my excitement, I almost decided not to sprint up at the end like I usually do, just so I could finish with him. But I reconsidered because I wanted to prove to him (and myself) that I was improving.

I heard his keys rattle back and forth with his strides as mine became longer and faster.

And right there.
As my chest burned with every inhale.
With the sweat dropping from my eyebrows and blurring my vision.
Knowing. Hearing.
My Dad.
My 65 year old prostate cancer surviving Dad.
Jogging behind me.

I haven’t felt that good in a long ass time.

…

My watch said 9:17 when I pressed the stop button.

I turned around with my hands at the back of my neck and started back towards my dad. He was still trotting along, clearly winded in his khaki pants and black polo shirt.

As we walked my cool down lap, he told me that he was impressed. And inspired.

“You know, I feel pretty good right now. I know I’ll be feeling it later, but. This could be the start of something. Do you think that Mom would be up for some walking?”

“Yeah… she’s been talking about it as soon as her physical therapy evens out. I’m actually kind of depressed that Mike hasn’t been running with me this last week. It’s been lonely. Thank you so much for coming with me today, Dad.”

It seemed like it wasn’t enough just to thank him.

“We should plan on doing this one evening a week with the whole family. It would be good for all of us, I think.”

“Yeah Dad… I think it would.”

“But listen, Sport in life. There is one thing I think you need to work on for next time.”

“Oh?”

“Yeah. Get yourself a new bra.”