Father and daughter continue the journey together
By MELISSA JOHNSON
The past two Sundays, my dad and I have walked up and down the Niantic Boardwalk to work toward my goal of completing a half marathon for TBBCF’s 15th annual walk. While I think if either of us tried to walk the entire 13.1 miles at once, we might collapse, the smaller walks are paying off. The tide was going out as we walked today, which added the sea’s trademark scent to the air. Millstone peeked out from the fog, and more walkers than I expected were streaming along the boardwalk in both directions.
The weather was nicer last Sunday so more people were out. As almost everyone we passed greeted us warmly, we laughed as we thought about the Danish exchange student who lived with me for the 2018-2019 school year. Mikkel told me Scandinavians avoid speaking to strangers in public unless necessary because to do so would be considered invading their privacy. When we went places, he was taken aback by the small talk I made and the passing compliments I gave to people I had never seen before in my life. Apparently, I would be considered a candidate for an insane asylum in Denmark.
So, we have 8.7 miles to go. I’m looking forward to a few more walks along the coast with my fellow cancer-survivor father. Enjoy the journey, everyone! Everyone wins with the walk — the cancer researchers who benefit from our fundraising, and us for engaging in a healthy and easy activity!