So, last night I had a rough night.
All I could think on repeat was this:
Cancer sucks.
I thought about his pain, and how helpless i was to ease it. I thought about how I might be the only daughter who’s husband and children my father may never know.
So that it wouldn’t knock me over with pain, I voiced this to my best friend, David.
David reminded me of things my grief wouldn’t let me see:
He said, “Jo, all that may be true. But you are the one who will carry his name across the globe. You will represent the best of yourself – the best of his name.”
This exciting life I’ve built for myself is an unorthodox path – a path my father makes sure he encourages.
He gets to do all those things because I am a Dooley. I carry his name everywhere with me.
I will learn to control my breath and breathe for him. I will help the world breathe better, so he can finally breathe better through them.
This quest will not be stifled by your struggle. It will fueled by it.
– Dr. Kathy Dooley