The first photo was taken on August 10th 1997, the day I watched my dad- “Willie”- run (and finish!) the 25th annual Falmouth Road Race. Today, 25 years later on August 21st 2022, I took the second photo after I watched my husband- @kennydett- run (and also finish!) the 50th annual Falmouth Road Race- in dad’s honor.
I have a distant memory of the day I watched my Dad run 7 miles from Woods Hole to Falmouth Heights. 25 years ago I sat with my mom, my sisters, my aunt, uncle and my grandparents on Falmouth Heights Road antsy with excitement to see my Dad (and perhaps also a bit of anxiety that we wouldn’t) come running around that corner at mile 6. Without fail, Dad came around the bend, saw his 4 girls cheering him on and, in typical Willie fashion, immediately put his arms up, cheering with us and encouraging himself to keep running nearly just as hard as we were.
the moment that the first picture captures competes in the ranking as one of my Dad’s proudest moments — and not just because he completed a 7 mile run, but because he completed a dare from his closest friends by doing so, and he had a metal to show for it… a metal that still hangs in his office to this day, mind you.
Flash forward 25 years to photo number two, taken today at the 50th Falmouth Road Race of my husband, Willie’s son in law, who ran in his honor and in support of the foundation created in his memory.
Today, Kenny and Willie finished the Falmouth Road Race. One in body and the other in spirit, but both for the same thing- to continue to fight the excruciating battle against cancer… and maybe to win a dare or two.
Dad. I love you. I miss you.
Kenny. I love you. I am proud of you.