I noticed a bunch of stories about fathers and the relationship they have with their children before Father’s Day, but I have not seen many after, so I wanted to share my Father’s Day experience. I had a mixed bag on Father’s Day. It was a good day overall but with a somber moment.
President Calvin Coolidge signed a resolution in favor of Father’s Day “to establish more intimate relations between fathers and their children and to impress upon fathers the full measure of their obligations.” For some the day brings joy, but for others it is a hard day of grief. These fathers, like myself, have survived the death of a child.
This is an event one can only learn to live with but not to deal with. It is somewhat easier with time but always a persistent memory. A song will come on the radio, or I will think of something funny I wish I could share with my daughter and then I will remember our loss.
On Father’s Day, I am lucky to have a wonderful wife, a daughter, a son in law, 3 grandchildren, a sterling nephew and a close friend that remember me. It helps ease my pain and grief.
I also have a third daughter who is currently estranged from some members of the immediate family. We will see where our relationship goes in the future.
I write this piece to offer a hug to those parents who have lost a child, to offer hope that time does heal some of the pain. But mainly, to offer thanks from the bottom of my heart to all those who remembered me on Father’s Day. It was a great day to be alive and spend time with those who care.
Being a father isn’t a walk in the park, the world is not an easy place, but I would never give up the fact that life with all its tribulations is better.
