Father’s Day was always a weird day for me when I was growing up. My dad died when I was six so I don’t remember ever really celebrating Father’s Day. I do remember years where it was just another day and nothing special.
It was June of 1990, my first Father’s Day as a dad, when Priscilla made it a special day for me because she knew it finally mattered. Every Father’s Day since has been special in one way or another. For a few years there always seemed to be a softball tournament that weekend but we either celebrated with a special takeout dinner or a barbecue. Gifts have been varied and I’m happy to say I don’t think I ever got the typical “tie” or “after shave” for a present.
One of my favorite gifts was actually something Kathryn made for me in preschool. It was a picture of her with some popsicle sticks as a frame. I hung that in my office back when I had an office. I need to find that again. I don’t know why it was so special to me, it was probably just a craft assignment that one of the teachers read about somewhere but I really liked how it was something she made just for me and it was nice to look at and focus on especially during long and boring conference calls.
Looking back on my younger years I had plenty of male characters in my life who, in some way, acted as a father. Of course my mom filled a lot of the roles of a dad. I also had uncles that were involved, coaches, ministers and family friends. If I could go back and change anything, of course I would have wanted my dad to be around, but I probably should of thanked those guys who stepped up and helped me.
Maybe that’s something we should all do today if you didn’t have the best of relationships with your father. I’ve discovered over the years that some guys struggle with being a dad, especially if they didn’t have someone set a good example.
Even if you did have a good relationship, take a minute to think about those people that helped raise you. An uncle, minister, coach, teacher, brother, cousin or a friend at church. Just concentrate on them and whisper a thank you.
I know that when I’ve done it…it brings back good memories and a warm feeling. And a thankfulness that they were there.
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