A good life

Cooper, Katie and I had an adventurous Sunday.

We cheered for friends at the Rock 'n' Roll Dallas Half Marathon. This was my first race in a long time to attend as a spectator and not as a participant. I wasn't prepared for how difficult it would be to watch so many strong, healthy runners finish a big race. I thought of my all-time favorite runner the whole time and how much he would have enjoyed the race. Steve had always wanted to run a Rock 'n' Roll.

We are proud of Sharon, Colleen, Sally and Uncle Jim, who all crossed the finish line at Fair Park today. Sharon ran with a laminated photo of Steve (a gift from Sally) pinned to her bib. Sharon told Katie after the race that whenever the running gets tough, she looks at that photo of Steve for inspiration, and it helps push her through.

After the race, the three of us continued to the Dallas Zoo. The last time we were there, I was gathering information for Fodor's Texas, the guidebook I helped write in 2007. In fact, my chapter on Dallas and Fort Worth was due the day after Steve's first MRI. I had to turn in my work about 95 percent complete.

Whenever we revisit one of the sites from that project, I consider how quickly lives can change because of a single image or diagnosis or action or accident. Every time we revisit one of the sites, I'm taking a tiny step toward healing. I just have to be careful not to rush -- I know there's a limit to what I can handle and no hurry to heal.

After hours of fun (and a chance meeting with some Frisco friends) we headed to Oak Cliff for a late lunch/early dinner at La Calle Doce -- yet another favorite place I haven't been to since Steve's diagnosis.

As I parked the car, I told Cooper and Katie how much their daddy loved the restaurant and how happy he would be that we were eating there.

Katie replied, "You know, Daddy had a really good life."

Cooper and Katie on the zoo carousel