"Hurry, or we'll miss the beginning", my father yelled to me across the house. I finished tying the laces on my high-tops and sprinted in the direction his voice had come from.

I looked up at him and smiled as we walked out the door. Now that I knew these kinds of small outings with my father weren't going to last forever, I was trying to make the best of my time with him. Being with him was one of my favourite things, and I wanted to make him happy too while I still had the chance.
We got into the old Voltswagon, and the engine gave a weak growl as we sped down an empty, one lane road as fast as it would take us. My father looked at me and grinned.

We got to the city just as the marching bands were going by. I had never been to a parade before, and it was all so full of energy and excitement. The band wore matching dark blue outfits, the same colour as the bandana on my father's shaved head. With all of the people there, I didn't know how it was possible that I had ever felt alone, despite the fact that being alone occupied the majority of my hours.
The military band started going by. We went toward the back of the crowd where there wasn't as many people, and my dad lifted me onto his shoulders. I told him that I wanted to play the music some day.

He kneeled down and let me off his shoulders. He bent down to my level and looked me straight in the eyes.
"Son," he said, "When you grow up, I want you to mean something. Mean something, and keep running. I'm not going to be there to guide you, and that's perfectly ok, don't ever be afraid to walk the world alone." He smiled, and as he did so I saw his eyes tear up. "There are bad things in the world, and you know that. Promise me you'll try to defeat them, and stand up for what you believe in. Carry on, no matter what happens. I love you."
I wiped a tear from my cheek and we just looked at each other. I knew this speech was coming at some point. "I love you too, dad." He hugged me, and we both laughed a little. I knew the brutal truth. The doctors did too, and so did he. By now it was something we'd been forced to accept. He hoisted me onto his shoulders again and I watched one more band go by, this one in deep black uniforms that had an elegant style to them. Their shiny instruments looked beautiful against their dark attire. The snare drums finished with a clapping rhythm, and the very last member of that band at the end o the procession concluded with one hit of the enormous drum.
"Carry on," I said to myself.