**delayed article posted in my blog**
**as appeared in Herald, July 3,2011**
In conjunction with Fathers’ Day on June 19, Deacon Martin played a very touching video before he ended the homily. Many people were moved. It was the video of Derek Redmond, who failed to finish the race during the 1992 400m Olympics. Derek was leading but halfway through, his hamstring muscle tore and he collapsed on the track.
He saw the stretcher coming from afar, but Derek wanted to run, to finish the race. He got up and started hopping on the track. He was in pain. He was weeping. His dear father saw his pain and came to his rescue. He held his hands and told him, let’s do it together. Despite being warned by the security, the duo continued on the track and finished the race.
Though Derek was disqualified in this race, he did what was on his mind: to finish the race. Derek and his father received a standing ovation from the 65,000-strong crowd that evening. This event is well remembered in Olympic history. His father held his hands, his father gave his hand, his father opened his arms and held him on his shoulder, his father motivated him to get up and finish what he aimed to do. All because of Love.
After watching this video, I googled about Derek and read about him. I asked my dad, do you know this athlete? I was only 10 back then. Yes, he was so famous. It was in the papers and television, he recalled. I wonder how one can live without a father’s love? How do they grow up without the hero man? I pay tribute to all those who lost their dad at a young age and failed to experience a father’s love.
Some of my friends grew up without a father’s love and I salute those mothers who became both father and mother to their children. I’m indeed blessed to have my father by my side all my years. And I pray that he will live long and healthy. — By Marlina Sara Sylvester
He saw the stretcher coming from afar, but Derek wanted to run, to finish the race. He got up and started hopping on the track. He was in pain. He was weeping. His dear father saw his pain and came to his rescue. He held his hands and told him, let’s do it together. Despite being warned by the security, the duo continued on the track and finished the race.
Though Derek was disqualified in this race, he did what was on his mind: to finish the race. Derek and his father received a standing ovation from the 65,000-strong crowd that evening. This event is well remembered in Olympic history. His father held his hands, his father gave his hand, his father opened his arms and held him on his shoulder, his father motivated him to get up and finish what he aimed to do. All because of Love.
After watching this video, I googled about Derek and read about him. I asked my dad, do you know this athlete? I was only 10 back then. Yes, he was so famous. It was in the papers and television, he recalled. I wonder how one can live without a father’s love? How do they grow up without the hero man? I pay tribute to all those who lost their dad at a young age and failed to experience a father’s love.
Some of my friends grew up without a father’s love and I salute those mothers who became both father and mother to their children. I’m indeed blessed to have my father by my side all my years. And I pray that he will live long and healthy. — By Marlina Sara Sylvester
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