Father’s Day is coming up soon, it is a holiday where we celebrate fathers. It is not at the top of the holiday list. That honor goes to Jesus, which I’m good with. Sadly, I think now to some it’s more about presents than the creator of the universe, and if you don’t got with that, still the most influential person to ever live. I do recognize that PlayStation 5, IPHONE number whatever, or a new bike are really cool too.
Thanksgiving is number 2, with food, family, and football, it gives us a chance to gather with family, which is not always a Norman Rockwell painting. Mix in alcohol, different opinions, and family grudges things can get crazy, but family is still family.
Halloween and Easter come in third and fourth, because of slutty costumes and Peeps, in that order.
Then Mother’s Day, the busiest day for restaurants and churches. Whatever celebration we do is not enough for what your mother has done. It’s really hard to beat giving birth and putting up with all your crap and still loving you unconditionally.
Way back in the back in 10th place is Father’s Day, it is beat by New Year’s Day AND New Year’s Eve. Basically 2 spots for what is essentially the same day. Fourth of July is next, no complaint, for all its faults, we do live in the absolute best country in the world, period. But Father’s Day is also cut by Valentine’s Day. Let’s be honest it is a manufactured holiday that was dreamed up by greeting card companies, florists, and candy manufacturers, including the Peep’s mafia that jumped on that bandwagon. Ladies, be honest, I know flowers are great anytime you get them, but given a choice, would you rather get them on Valentines Day like a ransom to keep you in a good mood, or on a random Tuesday because your person just did it because they loved you?
Father’s Day being back in the pack is something we as fathers have to take some responsibility for. A lot of fathers, for whatever reason, don’t do the job they should. Sometimes it because they are so busy trying to provide it does not leave enough time to be a quality parent. Other times it might be more selfish, like hanging out with the guys, having some “down time”. Either way, as a person who was raised by a father that had he own problems, alcohol being one of them, my mama had to pick up the slack. And a lot of other boys that grew up to be fathers may have had the same thing. That can either lead you to repeat that cycle or break it. I chose to break it. Oh, trust me, that does not make me Father of the Year by any means. I can look back and see where I could have done a lot of things better. But I did my best, and I made sure I never let any of my children leave my presence without a hug, a kiss, and “I Love You”.
I’m not that big on being celebrated on Father’s Day, I really do appreciate the cards, phone calls, presents, and recognition. But it is a day that makes me reflect on all the things I would go back and change if I could. I’m pretty sure I’m not the only one, so give your dad a little extra hug this year, in his mind he is probably thinking, “I could have done better.”
Happy Father’s Day to all!!
Love it! You are so heartwarming, Mr. Richardson.
I appreciate your perspective, but never thought that some dads might be reflecting on things they could’ve done better. As a parent, we have to do the best we can in any given situation. I sure wish my kids had an owners manual to read to help me many times along the way!!
HI Lamar, your comments regarding father’s wishing they could have done it better really strikes a nerve. Cleaning out our parents house after they passed we found a letter our dad wrote to our mom for their 50th anniversary and in it he told her how much she meant to him and things he wishes he had done differently. One of these wishes was to tell his kids how much they meant to him and how proud he was of us to us personally, instead of to other people. He was raised in a dysfunctional family as an only child, so he really had to work at “normal” and had trouble expressing his feelings. He was a good dad in spite of all this and did the best he could do with what he had to work with. That’s all any of us can say…..if we were perfect people, we wouldn’t need Jesus!!!! Have a happy Father’s Day!
Lamar, I admire you so much! There is just nothing I don’t love about you… including your accent 😉 Thank you for your perspective on Fathers Day. I really needed that, and didn’t even realize it! 😅 Looking forward to meeting you some day, even if it’s when we are praising our Lord and Savior in Heaven for eternity 😇