Father’s Day
As always, lots of us don’t really have fathers that are wonderful, in which case, I say go out and treat yourself today, you earned it. Or, if you have someone who did some of the things for you that a father should have done, today is a lovely day to let them know you appreciate it.
But if you are one of those fortunate people who lucked out and got a dad who earned the title, let them know. It’s clearly a hard job, with lots of sacrifice and worry and effort. Some of the best dads I know are very quiet about what an achievement it is to raise a child and protect them and care for them. They just do it because it’s right, and because they love them. Cheers to them, I say, and since they don’t get a parade, it’s up to us to let them know we love them and are grateful.
My birth father was not a good man. My stepfather was a very mixed bag. So I didn’t really find a great dad role model ‘til later in life, when I met my husband, and his father let me know he considered me his daughter and part of the family forever. He was a former marine, a kind, strong guy who always did what he thought was right.
Later, my mother remarried, a fascinating, wonderful man, who had been a lawyer on several important civil rights cases, had been a motorcycle courier behind enemy lines in the army, and also made it very clear I was family and that was all there was to it.
Sadly, both these wonderful fathers are gone now, but I am grateful to have had them in my life. They may have come late, but they added so much to my life just by being there. “Thank you,” doesn’t cut it, they each deserve a crown.
Finally, I have to say happy Father’s Day to my husband, who is simply a wonderful dad in all ways. Love you, sweetie!
Maybe you didn’t get a great dad until later, maybe you didn’t get a great dad at all. Maybe your dad did the best he could with the resources he had. Father’s Day is very complicated for a lot of us.
But when done right, a father is a pretty freaking wonderful thing and I say thank you to all the fathers out there who have done so much to raise their children with love and steadfastness and care.
HAPPY FATHER’S DAY TO YOU, GOOD DADS!
