T-26 weeks: "What I am grateful for this year - Papa Edition"

Dear Papa, and dear Reader,

Is it really only 26 weeks left until Ironman Hamburg? That is exactly one half year.. Ugh. It's getting closer now with every week, every day. And wow, today I had a moment of feeling like I lost all the fitness I had built this year... Of course I haven't. But man, after all this food and inactivity this week around Thanksgiving, I feel like a total slug today.

This past week was a blast though! Three of Jim's kids and one son-in-law were staying with us visiting from out-of-state, and then two more came back from a Thanksgiving trip this weekend and joined us. It was a sheer feast of food, laughter, games, museums, shopping, exploring, and simply enjoying our time together. I had tried to get some good workouts in before they all got here, but needless to say, this week was one of the slowest this whole year - which I guess is appropriate! It's off-season, it's a major holiday, and I should give my body these kinds of breaks.

In short numbers for the week, so I don't need to sit in my puddle of shame for too long: Three bike rides totaling 65 miles / 110km in 3:30h, and one run of 5 miles / 8km in 0:45h. You saw that right. I didn't even make it to the pool once, neither did I lift any weights. And now, let's for once not talk about exercise anymore, ha.

One of the traditions around Thanksgiving I love most is to reflect on what I am grateful for, specifically this year. I won't lie - this year was really hard with your passing. So at first, it was tough to think through my 2024 gratitude list in light of this. But then I thought of all the hidden blessings that came during that time of hardship and beyond. And suddenly, I was flooded with gratitude. So, here's my list for you: What I am grateful for this year, Papa edition. Enjoy it while looking at this week's picture of choice.

I'm grateful for:

• everything you have done for me and us! I chose this picture for a reason. You carried me and all of us in every one of your actions. You turned us into good decent humans and made sure we would always be supported financially. You were an amazing Papa and an incredible Opa, and you are leaving behind so many people that are grateful for everything you did and the example you set. It's certainly a tough act to follow. You left big shoes to fill.

• the way all of us Peters pulled together before, around, and after your passing. You really get to know people intimately well under the strain of such hardship, and I can't believe how lucky I am to be part of this family! What an incredible blessing it is that we all have each other.

  
  

• my brothers! I feel like I have fallen in love with them all over again. I see the men they have become. The strength they have. The responsibility, solidity, love, selflessness, and family values they all carry. And I am in awe. It's sad that we needed something so horrible to open ourselves up to one another like this and uncover new depths in each other. But now that I have experienced all that, I would never want to lose that level of closeness anymore.

• my Mama! Not only is she now my only parent left, but the way she cared for you during your coma brought tears to my eyes. I love her so much! Things haven't always been easy between you and her, but through all of those years, in different shapes and forms, before, during, and after your marriage, she has continued to love you in her own ways. 50 years of friendship with her, of which 21 were as partners and lovers. It is so precious to me that she and my stepmom Angela now chose to be the stewards of your house and move in there together. They both keep your memory alive in every way, and the central point of our family can remain in the same place. I can't wait to go visit them in your house in less than two weeks!

  
  

• last but certainly everything but least, my Hubby! Last week we said spouses doesn't count on the list, as it has to be something unique to this year, but there is no way I could've made it through the year intact and mentally healthy without Jim. He was a rock from the moment the first phone call came in. He held me when I was screaming with grief. He spooned me to sleep when I was so exhausted from crying that I didn't even brush my teeth. He hung out in Germany with me for months as we were waiting for you to let go. He was there with me every single step of the way, every horrible piece of news we received, and he continues to be there every time that knot in my throat comes back out of nowhere. He wears your shoes and clothes and always points them out to me when he does, as he knows how much that means to me. I seriously have no idea what I would've done without that man, and I am so glad that none of my brothers had to go through this alone either.

That's it for today, Papa! Next week will be back to a solid exercise routine, and my body will be grateful for it. Some other quick minor news: I was able to register for the Cherry Blossom 10 Miler next year in April as well, which will be a fun spring team race. And I decided to switch to a new indoor cycling platform online - from Zwift to TrainingPeaks Virtual. We'll see how that goes in the long indoor winter months.

I'm thankful for you, Papa! Thanks for making the decision to have me almost 42 years go. Thank you for everything I am and everything you gave me. I love you forever!

With a big hug,

Kathrin

P.S. Dear Reader, if you have comments, questions, memories, or thoughts to share, please leave a comment (and leave your name in the comment so I know who it's from). I would love to hear from you!

Go to the full list of blog posts or read more about the project Ironman for Papa