In my previous post ( grounded ) I mentioned an illness in the family. That illness was my Dad, Robert Doran Bjorkquist ( Bob ). On Tuesday March 12, he passed away from a massive stroke. This has hit me hard. This has hit my family hard. My dad was many things to me; teacher, idol, mentor, confidant, friend, the list goes on and on. He is the reason I look at life the way I do. He taught me humor, empathy and compassion from a very early age. There was no race, color, class, or bigotry in his world. Everyone was equal in his eyes. Everyday was a chance for him to meet someone new or reconnect with family/friends just because that is what he loved to do. The list of people in his life that adore my dad is absolutely amazing. Through social media, road trips, mail and sheer effort, he stayed connected with every family member, every friend. Family was everything to him. It always amazed me the amount of people that know my dad, and I always saw a smile when they asked how he was or what he was up to.
I could go on and on, but I will get to my point instead.
The reason I enjoy being at Silent River Kung Fu the most is.... the people there. The kindness, the empathy, the sense of belonging to something far greater than me. From watching the Little Leopards to seeing the mastery of a Black Belt, it brings me joy and awe at the same time, every time. I see so much of my dad in so many of my fellow classmates and instructors. I feel so much of who he was from being a part of this art. My dad always believed in giving the best you can in everything you do, all in, all go no slow, put up or shut up. He constantly encouraged me through suggestion and encouragement, not pressure or ridicule. He was very process driven, " you must learn to walk before you can learn to fly " he would say. He loved the process that we follow at our school. He was in awe of his Grandson Kody ( and later us ) and the way we are progressing. He was mesmerized by the Lion dance we did at the Chinese new year banquet, so proud that Kody and I could do something like that. My dad also loved to volunteer, for anything and everything he could.. His 2 biggest ones where giving blood ( he was in the 100+ times donor club -absolutely amazing! ) and the local seniors center ( St. Albert ). He taught me "you can't have until you give". I will endeavor to never let him down on this.
I was asked by a few people on Wednesday, why are we in class so soon after his passing? Because being in class makes me feel good. It brings my focus to "me", as Master Brinker taught me,"I am here, I am doing Kung Fu". It also allowed me to escape the pain of losing my dad by forcing me to focus on the here and now of Kung Fu. I went into Wednesdays class with pain in my heart, I left class feeling cleansed and purposeful. Thank you. The schedule of our classes and the I Ho Chuan allows me to remain in the here and now without sacrificing the future or past I must deal with . That allows me to focus on everything else outside of class without being overwhelmed.I didn't realize how much I need this structure in my life until now. Thank you.
Rest in peace Dad, Love you...
That all I have on this for now...
Numbers
Faltered a little this week. Starting to catch up. Still on track but the engine needs a bit of a kick to be where I want to be.
meetings and classes - all
sit ups 6889
push ups 7005
AOK 202
1609km 332
form hand 67
weapon 75
sparring 81
personal requirements on track so far
Go team pig!
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