Happy Father's Day

It’s great that the United States officially sets aside a day each year to honor dads. Father’s Day 2021 is June 20th, 2021.

Father’s Day did not become an official U.S. holiday until 1972 when President Richard Nixon signed into law a Congressional Resolution officially establishing Father’s Day as the third Sunday of June in the United States.

Dads’ Roles

Dads fulfill a special role. Society’s future depends on the children and grandchildren that are growing up. Quality parenting is a key for their successful development. Fathers traditionally have provided them financial support, some discipline, training, and love.

Fathers teach their children various skills. I remember my dad helping me develop various interests and abilities, from riding a bicycle to the “look it up” habit that helped me access accurate information from encyclopedias and other sources. 

Memories

My dad passed on to heaven April 27th, 2013 at age 82. Father's Day 2021 will be my ninth Father's Day without dad. I cherish many wonderful memories of him and look forward to a reunion with him in heaven.

I am glad that I kept in touch with dad during my adult years. I phoned regularly, as well as renting a car and visiting a few times a year. I'm glad I got to visit him for a few days during his final hospitalization in April 2013 and to enjoy some phone conversations with him during those last days. Below are some photos of my dad. The first one is from 1967 when he was standing at Sky Bridge in the Red River Gorge area of Kentucky. Below that is one of him in his Wayland High School football uniform; he told me he played guard on offense and defense. Following are two from his college days at VPI. Then there's one of him holding his younger daughter Deborah in August 1975 on a vacation trip. Below that is one of him standing in the dining room of his house in Jenkins, Kentucky in 1990. Then one of him standing in the vicinity of where an amphitheater was later built in Jenkins, Kentucky. In the final photo, he is sitting on the porch of his house in Jenkins, Kentucky.

I urge adult children whose dads remain alive to keep in contact with them via visits, phone calls, emails, text messages, etc. Say “I Love You,” and thank them specifically for some of the things you remember them doing for you.

During my childhood, dad worked long hours at his job and other career-related activities. Dad didn't say "I love you" much when I was a boy, which was probably common for dads in the 1960s and 1970s. But he demonstrated his love in numerous ways. He worked to support his family. And he taught me many things. He also devoted time to playing games with me despite his busy schedule.

In his later years, we said "I love you" to each other often. We did it much more during my adulthood than when I was a child. And dad often took the initiative in saying that first.

Dad taught me the importance of an education and the importance of asking questions and looking things up in books. He taught me how to drive a car--I was less nervous with the police officer when I took the test than with dad during my training. And I passed my driver's exam the first time.

I cherish many happy memories of joyful times with dad. We hiked together in various scenic areas in southeastern Kentucky when I was a boy. We played lots of fun games of Rook,® chess, croquet, etc.

Dad did a lot for lots of people. During the course of his lifetime, in addition to his career as a mining engineer and land surveyor, he became involved in numerous other activities. At various times, among other things, he served as a Boy Scout troop leader, church deacon, church as well as county church conference treasurer, held offices in the Kentucky Society of Professional Engineers, and at one point I think he was even a PTA president. He possessed numerous strengths. Of course, as a human being he also had human weaknesses. But I feel fortunate to have had him as my dad and prefer to focus on his positive aspects and my many happy memories rather than his shortcomings. Whether your dad did achieved more or less than mine, your dad contributed to making you who you are. Seek to appreciate him for being the individual he is or was and for his achievements.

Dad’s Passing On to Heaven and Afterward

Dad's passing on to heaven wasn't totally unexpected. A few decades ago, he said a doctor told him he was a walking dead man. Dad had various health problems.

Still, when dad and I talked on the phone the afternoon of April 26, 2013, I hoped he would be released from the hospital in a few days. But he took a major turn for the worse that evening and passed on to heaven shortly after 2 a.m. on Saturday, April 27.

Often a dad’s death comes unexpected. Say “I love you” to your dad and show him love regularly. You never know when it may be your last chance to.

The visitation (April 28, 2013) and funeral (April 29, 2013) went well. Fellowship with relatives and friends made it a special time. The funeral messages offered a nice celebration of dad's life and his passing on to heaven.

Closure has largely come, I guess. But I still typically think briefly about dad at least a few times a day, even eight years later. I cherish wonderful memories while looking forward to that reunion in heaven.

Closing Thoughts

This Father's Day (June 20, 2021) I plan to devote some time to quiet reflection about my many wonderful memories of dad. And I plan to budget extra time for prayer to God, my Heavenly Father.

If your dad is alive, I urge you to seek to contact him on Father’s Day and regularly afterward. If his health is poor and you are the primary caregiver, bless you for helping repay your dad for what he’s done for you.

I urge readers to cherish happy memories of their dads. And I urge those whose dads still live Earthly lives to keep in contact with them and to tell them that they love them. Their next conversation with daddy may be their last one.

I miss dad. But I look forward to seeing him again someday in heaven. And I love my many marvelous memories. Yes, I will be remembering dad on Father's Day. I hope you will remember your dad too.

NOTE:

This article submitted to Google Blogger on Jane 20, 2020 is virtually identical to one submitted to Craft News Report, a website operated by the author's friend Paul Craft, earlier the same day, on June 20th 2020. Part of it is reprinted/adapted from an article the author wrote in 2013 just before his first Father‘s Day without his dad. This article was last revised on May 19th, 2021.