A father's love for his son

On March 27th I attended my work’s annual Spring meeting. Along with all the work stuff and routine presentations, the CEO of our company invited a motivational speaker to talk to all the attendees. I was anticipating his presentation because my boss spoke so highly of him and his speeches.

As the day began we went through all the work stuff and our speaker was up. He told us some really motivational stories of survival and leadership. He told 1 story that touched my heart and changed me forever, and I would like to share this story will all of you.

This is the story of Rick and Dick Hoyt. Over 40 years ago Dick and his wife gave birth to a baby boy named Rick. There were complications with the umbilical cord and he did not receive enough oxygen to his brain; this caused permanent brain damage and an inability to move his limbs. The doctor explained to his parents that he would be a vegetable for the rest of his life, but Dick could not believe it.

When Rick was 11 they took him to the engineering department at Tufts University and asked if there was anything to help their son communicate. "No way,'' Dick says he was told. "There's nothing going on in his brain.'' "Tell him a joke,'' Dick said. They did. Rick laughed. Turns out a lot was going on in his brain. Rigged up with a computer that allowed him to control the cursor by touching a switch with the side of his head, Rick was finally able to communicate. His first words he uttered were "Go Bruins!''

In high school, a fellow classmate became paralyzed due to an accident and the school was running a marathon for him to raise money. Rick told his dad he wanted to do that. Dick was unsure because he knew he would have to push his son’s wheelchair that day, he was not in any shape to do that. But he did it for Rick. That day changed Rick's life. "Dad,'' he typed, "When we were running, it felt like I wasn't disabled anymore!'' And that sentence changed Dick's life forever. He became obsessed with giving Rick that feeling as often as he could. He got into such great shape that he and Rick were ready to try the 1979 Boston Marathon. Dick was told by an official that he would not be able to run in the marathon. The Hoyt's weren't a single runner, and they weren't quite a wheelchair competitor. So, for the first few years, Dick and Rick just joined the massive field and ran anyway.

Later, they would find a way to get into the race officially: In 1983 they ran another marathon so fast they made the qualifying time for Boston the following year. Then somebody said, "Hey, Dick, why not a triathlon?'' How was a guy who never learned to swim and hadn't ridden a bike since he was six going to haul his 110-pound kid through a triathlon? Still, Dick tried. Now they've done over 200 triathlons, and if that wasn’t enough, they participated in more than a few grueling 15-hour Ironman competitions.

After many years of Dick and Rick running and inspiring, Dick had a massive heart attack due to a genetic disposition. Dick survived. The doctor explained to him that any “normal” man his age would have never survived a heart attack of that caliber, but because he was in such good shape, he lived. Had he not ran all these years pushing his son in all these races, he would have died before the age of 65. Rick needed Dick all those years for all the races, but in the end, it was Dick that thanked his son Rick for saving his own life.

This is the story of Dick and Rick Hoyt.

This real life story is a true example of unconditional love of a parent. This story touched me deeper than I could have imagined. We all know that our parents love us. We all know our parents would walk on fire for us. We all know that our parents would cut off their right arm for us. We all know the love of our own children, and we can only imagine how Dick felt when the doctors told him and his wife all those years ago that their son would be a vegetable. Rick Hoyt was not a vegetable. Rick Hoyt was not disabled. His father made him able. His father made him live. His father made him feel like he was running, when doctors said he never would.

This is a story of hope. This is a story of determination. This is a story of a father’s love for his son.
That’s my peace today!

Italian style grilled cheese
Thick toast bread
12 slices of provolone cheese
6 slices prosciutto cotto
2 large buffalo mozzarella sliced
1/4 cup butter
12 springs fresh basil

Take 2 slices per sandwich. Add 2 slices provolone, 2 slices of mozzarella and 1 slice of prosciutto and 2 slices of basil. Repeat for all 6 sandwiches. In a heated pan put the butter and add each sandwich, flipping after 3 minutes. Grill until both sides are golden and cheese is melted.