XII•I•MMVIII
December 1, 2008 I lost my father to cancer. I grew up quick, and learned a gratitude for every last ounce of this world. To love wholeheartedly the people, places, experiences, and lessons I did have.
My dad was a navy ch-46 helicopter pilot (callsign Tornado), flew on carriers in the med, was an athlete (not biking at first, but my mom got him there), a musician, and had multiple degrees in a range from psychology to electrical engineering. A badass if I do say so myself. He actually took his resume to Boeing and they told him he had made it up. He was all over the place and I’m sure it’s why I am too :) It’s (of course) shaped my entire life and I have a world of love for what life has given me regardless. I think it’s why photos are something I love so much. Capturing stories, holding onto memories, and of course the emotion.
Around my neck I wear a small reminder of all this: amor fati. The love of one’s fate. Good or bad, everything goes into the fire, and so it burns brighter.
My mom and I have joked about getting it tattooed together. She’s been an anchor through everything and is the strongest woman in the world.
In the hardest of days, like last weekend, suffering like a dog with 20 miles to the finish and wondering if I’ll drop myself out of the lead, I still talk to him. I like to believe it keeps me calm and gives me strength. I think I talked to him more than ever last weekend, so close to something that could propel my career forward in bigger ways than before. We all have fucking hard times, and I guess I’m just here to say use them. Own them. Appreciate them cause you can’t change the past. Continue to love, continue to challenge yourself, and continue to see the good. Love you dad!
i didn’t have the chance to meet your dad, but wish i had. i know the rest of you Garrisons and i can see what a huge influence he was and is in your lives. he is super proud of you and Ian and the amazing human beings you are. keep carrying the torch. you are an inspiration to me and many others every day. love you man❤️
Michael. I’m blown away. At your performance and at your beautiful description of talking with your dad more than ever this past weekend. I lost my mom to stage 4 colon cancer just 2 months ago on Jan 13th after her diagnosis just 6 months prior in June. The grief is indescribable. She was at the forefront of my mind the entirety of the event weekend. It’s the first time we’ve done Mid South and she wasn’t there on the side of the finish line shoot all day with my dad cheering on all the riders and quietly and powerfully supporting me with her presence. I will certainly never be the same and I can’t imagine losing a parent at such a young age like you did. Thank you for sharing this. Sending you the biggest love ever, dude. Thank you for your heart
