I can only imagine.

Today was the 3rd time I have receivd this video and watched it. I still don't know whether to be moved to tears or shocked. Moved by a father's love or shocked that he would risk injury or death to his son. I am sure that there are better ways for him to engage his son while not jeopardizing his safety. In a cynical moment, quickly ignored, I wondered if this activity wasn't a little self aggrandizing. It will, certainly, occupy my thoughts for a time.

Perhaps the risks were worth it. Not too moved by the J marketing though.

Well, Maggie, I take you at your word regarding the family and note that the video, sans explication, does the family an injustice. However, brilliant and educated Rick maybe, his physical condition does not offer him much in the way of survivability should the raft overturn or the bicycle become involved in a crash. I repeat that I think there are better ways for father and son to interact. You should also note that I did say that my cynical moment passed and was quickly ignored.

just wow Re: risks. I have a 13 year old daughter. My greatest fears in the world revolve around the ills she might suffer every time I send her off to do something new, where I am not there to catch her should she need me. She doesn't know that--well much--I don't make a big deal of it. She has already said she wants to be a police officer, I am trying to convince her there are better alternatives, like FBI agent, maybe. She likes Marines, I've suggested the Coast Guard might be a better all-round choice. But what's one to do? She is an independent person, and will be an independent adult (cause that's how I am raising her), and sometimes, kids do things that scare the crap out of parents. And sometimes, they die.... You know, the most vivid memory I have of the Challenger explosion in '86 is not of the actual explosion--though that is a strong memory. No, what I remember most, and what still brings me to tears some days as I think about my daughter's future is the video of Christa McAuliffe's parents, as they watched the shuttle launch, and as the realization dawned on them that something had gone wrong. I pray to God that I never experience such a thing.... It was horrible to watch. But I would still want my daughter on a space shuttle. I would be thrilled if she were to go to Mars--though her years-long absence would be hardly tolerable, I think. I don't want for her the mediocrity that comes with safety and security. I want her to LIVE, to experience everything in life she can, to jump out of planes, to fly them, maybe. To travel the world and go places and see things... And if something bad happens to her, well, it will ruin me I suppose. But that's the chance I have to take. For her sake, not mine. As for Rick and his father, I think it odd to assume that anyone could care less for that man than his father--couldn't you see that in the video? I saw none of the risks as negative (though I am ex-Army and was certainly thinking about risk). I saw a man doing something for his son that I would hope I had the strength of character and moral fiber to do--to be such a man. I could hardly have been more impressed or moved. As for the possible harm to Rick, well, I just assumed he chose to take those chances and only his Dad (I assumed it was his father) was willing to help him. How tough is that? Considering that boy's health was probably the central thought of his dad's every waking hour for decades, how tough could it have been to agree to do that... Just different experiences, I guess.... V/R

An important point to note, regarding Ricky and Dick Hoyt: These races (including a number of Boston Marathons) are not something Dick does *to* his son, but rather *for* his son. Imagine your Dad being your arms and legs, heart and lungs, over the course of 140.6 gruelling miles during an Ironman competition. All the pre-dawn hours in the pool, miles and miles of training on the roads forging a bond light years beyond the occasional game of catch. Team Hoyt is the embodiment of love, teamwork and commitment. And if I remember correctly, it's Col. Dick Hoyt, USAF. He may be retired now, but he is certainly a shining example of the warrior spirit. I attended BU while Ricky was a student there, and would see him around the dorm from time to time. Several years later, I saw the Hoyts toiling long into the darkness on the roads of Kona, during tv coverage of the Ironman World Championships. It was one of the things that inspired me to take up triathlon. My parents were able to watch me cross the finish line of my first iron distance race. Little did they know, they had covered every mile with me. v/r Roachman