Why Dad is missing the Daytona 500

Looking back at my life and what my Father has done for me over the years, I realize that we shared a few things that mean the most to me. Camping, joining Scouts, Fishing (something I now wish I shared more of a love for) and NASCAR. I remember spending many Sundays sitting with my Dad, watching various races with a special interest in the Talladega 500 and the Daytona 500. Dad called the Daytona 500 his Superbowl weekend. He would gather all kinds of information about the race from the papers, magazines and such. We would then sit and watch the Daytona 500. Specifically, I will never forget the sad day 2001 when Dale Earnhardt passed away. My Father openly wept as we all did. I, not only for the tragic loss of such a great man but for the effect it had on my father. He was devastated and wept again when he saw the reverse victory lap Dale Jr did after winning the 2001 Cal Ripken Jr 400 post the Sept 11 attacks.

My brother and I decided to take Dad to the Daytona 500 several years ago. Coming from Newfoundland, it would be a reasonably complicated trip, but one we decided we needed to make. We considered going for 2010 but decided to put it off and wait until we all had more time.

Well, Dad's spiral into Alzheimer's really started in December of 2009, and by July 2010, it was a serious issue. My brother took a job in northern Manitoba with his wife in July, but we decided that we had probably one last attempt to get him to the Daytona 500, which was for 2011. We booked the tickets at the end of October 2010. We had no idea of the tragedy that was about to unfold.

On Nov 10, my father was at his brother's place, keeping active and helping out. He somehow tried to light a stove and then subsequently caught himself on fire, causing him to burn over 60% of his body at 62 years of age. The prognosis was grim and bleak. I don't wish to recount the events of his battle, but rest assured, it will be written about later. He is the strongest man I know, and he survived such a physical tragedy. All those skin grafts and septic episodes should have taken him from us. At one point, he was anointed for death - but my Dad, somehow, fought back to the sheer amazement and shock of all the hospital staff. Dad never was and never will be a statistic of the masses.

Today is Feb 20, and Dad is in a hospital room still struggling with his Alzheimer's and learning to walk and feed himself again. I sat with him today and watched some of the Daytona 500 on the little TV screen at his bedside. Dad never mentioned that we were planning to go, even though he was so excited about it before the accident; he only told my uncle that he would love to go. During the pre-race, the tribute to Dale Earnhardt was running, and I noticed my Dad filling up and shedding tears again. He is still connected to those events and that time, and it still profoundly impacts him. He drifted off to sleep a few times, and I left him alone to rest. I left him to rest but spent my day emotionally disconnected and sad. I love my Dad. I know it is hard for anyone to lose a parent and something we all must face in one way or another at some time.

I don't know how to express my sadness for him and this situation, but my family and I would appreciate it if anyone from Hendrick Motorsports (big fans of Dale Jr, Mark Martin, and Jeff Gordon) or from the NASCAR community could send us some signed items or a picture. Anything for him will go a long way. I know it is a lot to ask, but with his lucidity slowly slipping away, there may be little chance for anything like that to impact him over the next year.  If anyone can dig up a shirt, Dad usually wears a Large (I am XXL - go figure)

I will graciously deliver anything to him at the hospital he is in at the time.

Graham Dawe

C/O Jason Dawe

7 Steadybrook Rd

Conception Bay South, NL

A1X 2L4

We would have been there today on the 10 anniversary of Dale Earndhardt's tragic accident to live his dream and share in the anniversary. I was there today in thought, and I know my Dad was too - in his own way.

Dad and my son Jack flying a Kite, May 2010. It is one of my favorite pictures of Dad of all time.