Castaway Island - Internet Marketing Blog
Heart Walk West Palm Beach (Sun, Sep 28th 2008, 14:24)
Yesterday I participated with my wife in the Heart Walk at Downtown West Palm Beach. The walk had a great turn out. I can't give you the exact number, but there had to be over 1,000 people who walked the 3 mile course on Flagler. The crowd included people of all ages. Parents pushing their babies in strollers, little kids skipping and walking along side their parents, teenagers and adults. One of the most impressive participants I came across was a fireman in full gear including the heavy oxygen tank strapped to his back. I hadn't reached the half way turn when I saw him speed walking back the other way with such determination on his face. He must have finished the 3 mile walk in 25 minutes. Now that my friends is a very powerful statement. Many of the area hospitals were represented including my wife's hospital Bethesda Memorial in Boynton Beach.
The Heart Walk holds a very special place in my heart. My father Dr. Roberto J. Miquel passed away from a massive heart attack just a few days after my 17th birthday. This life changing moment was a very hard pill to swallow. It took many years for me to finally make peace with what happened. Probably the most impressive outcome from this horrific situation was to see the transformation of my brother. Heading on a path to no where, he decided to pursue his life long dream of following in our father's foot steps and becoming an M.D. Leaving family and friends he departed to the Dominican Republic to study medicine. After nearly 8 years suffering in this third world country he graduated from Med School, passed the U.S. boards, and is now in residency in Texas. I am very proud of my brother's accomplishments and can now see the good that can happen from a bad situation.
At the heart walk there was a large memorial board for the participants to sign. When my wife signed "In the memory of Dr. Roberto Miquel. We love you Chris and Karla Miquel." on the board I was getting all choked up. It is during times like these when I realize how much I miss my father. The walk helps me to bring a piece of my father back into my life and for that I am thankful.
We were able to finish the walk in about 45 minutes. Nothing stellar, but our goal to complete the entire walk was accomplished. I thank all the people who participated in this event, and look forward to walking again next year.
In memory of Dr. Roberto J. Miquel