Happy Father’s Day to all the fathers and father figures! Take a few minutes today to call him, text him, or go visit him if you can. My dad usually escapes to his “happy place” in Northern Michigan, but I make sure to call and text. It makes his day.
No matter what your father’s parenting style may have been during your formative years, most dads still love their children. When you were a child saying “that’s not fair!” or “I hate you for this!” he was bearing through it, possibly with a little sadness for your attitude but also holding out to teach you a lesson. Dads show love in the sneakiest ways, too. You might not even really realize it until you look back on your time with him. Hugs, kisses, and bedtime stories may not have been his thing – or he was hardworking man who worked third shifts for 25 years to support the family. But he showed it in other ways:
– He came to your school to give presentations about his job to your class – and as he walked through the halls to leave, got pulled into a dozen more classrooms to speak to those children as well
– He took you to softball practice and cheered you on at every practice and game
– He was the coach for your floor hockey team
– He came to swim meets, football games, and theater productions
– He never stopped supporting you, no matter what
As you grew older and your life changed, so did his. When you graduated from college, he was there. When you got married and moved out of state to start a new life with your new spouse, he said goodbye – then probably went somewhere to shed a few tears. When you called to tell him you were having a baby, he was thrilled, and went straight to his workshop to make “Baby’s First Putter” in an effort to have the child grow up to play the sport he loved.
Your dad may have done some of this, none of this, or all of this, but he never stopped being your dad. The great ones have never stopped loving you. Dads come in all forms these days: biological fathers, stepfathers, adoptive fathers, even uncles, cousins, or grandfathers who stepped in when no other father figure was around. He may have been an involved dad like the one described above, or a dad who was busy grinding and working hard to support the family. If your dad is no longer with you, he is still there in spirit.
So, if you love and appreciate your father, make sure he knows today.
What are some memories you have with your dad? Happy, sad, or in between. Let’s talk on Facebook!https://www.facebook.com/KeriRozanskyAuthor