It doesn’t matter how many times you get knocked down. What matters is how many times you get up. – Bobby Moch
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My Dad (born 1923) grew up in a world where 1 in 4 was unemployed (the Great Depression) and served in a war where 100 million died (World War II). He learned to get up.
At age 77, after triple bypass surgery, he popped up and began walking - 3 miles every day.
At age 89, while carrying groceries up the stairs, he fell backwards and broke his back. When I arrived at the house, he was sitting sheepishly in his red recliner.
I asked, “How did you get up the stairs?”
He said, “I don’t know."
Eventually, he popped up and resumed walking - 2 miles every day.
At age 90, he tripped at the grocery store and broke his left hip. When the paramedics arrived, he was sitting in his car. When asked to get in the ambulance, he refused.
“I am not leaving my car in this parking lot. Follow me home if you want to take me to the hospital.”
They did.
When I arrived at the hospital, I asked, “How did you get in the car?”
He said, “I don’t know."
Eventually he popped up and resumed walking - 1 mile a day every day with a four wheel walker.
At age 91 (15 months after the broken hip) he stumbled at home and shattered his right femur. A plate and screws were inserted and he was told he would never walk again.
Using a two wheel walker, he popped up and resumed walking - 1/3 of a mile - 3 times a day every day.
November 11 was my first Veterans Day without Dad - he passed October 31. We are all stronger than we know.
Bobby Moch was a member of the University of Washington 8-Oar Crew team that won the gold medal at the 1936 Berlin Olympics. The team was featured in the book, “The Boys in the Boat” by Daniel James Brown.
How about you? What Veteran inspires you? When did you get up? Share a story!
