Happy Father’s Day – However Not For Everyone
Tomorrow is the third Sunday of June and we celebrate Father’s Day. This annual holiday was officially established in the United States in1972.
Actually though its origins date back to 1910 when Spokane, WA resident Sonora Smart Dodd arranged for the recognition of her father, William Smart, who as a single parent raised six children. This inaugural event was hosted by the local YMCA.
The History channel explains that “the campaign to celebrate the nation’s fathers did not meet with the same enthusiasm as Mother’s Day, perhaps because as one florist explained, ‘fathers haven’t the same sentimental appeal that mothers have.’” Ouch!
And so it goes, fatherhood is often not viewed in the same light as motherhood, though both roles are unique and vital. Sadly and with more frequency, often fathers are absent in the lives of their children. The downside can be seen in array of negative consequences.
So on this Father’s Day, and on behalf of all the deserving kiddos and moms in our nation, hats off to all you dads — and uncles, and grandpas, and brothers, and male friends, and mentors who step into the shoes of fatherhood. Your influence is life shaping!
And while we celebrate, I also want to offer the reminder that not all Father’s Days are necessarily happy.
This Father’s Day my dad at age 84 is under hospice care and will likely reside in heaven come next Father’s Day. He grew up poor with no father as a role model in his life. And our life’s relationship has been complicated. I am grateful for living amends in his final years and the opportunity for a better relationship and to provide care for him.
Also a friend of mine, a single mom expressed her thoughts about Father’s Day via a Facebook post. She gave me permission to share them with you.
“Father’s Day is a very sad subject in my house . My kids have got the crappy end of the stick and except for a just a few men they see on a limited basis they have literally no male role models they spend time with . Father’s Day is sad . I pray my kids feel unlimited, boundless love from their faith in God and from me. Being a kid and having a parent walk out and have no contact is extremely load bearing . I pray they feel peace in their heart and learn from their experiences. I want to add I also wish peace and love to others carrying this pain and to the fathers that carry guilt . I pray they turn it over ask for forgiveness and start fresh. It’s never too late.”
Did you get that? Even in the midst of her own pain and that of her kids, she even prays for those who abandoned them. What grace and strength!
And so on this Father’s Day as we wish dads a heartfelt “Happy Father’s Day”, let’s not forget those who grieve the loss of a father, the pain of infertility, or those with absent fathers.
And I invite all men to consider standing in the gap for those deserving kids who need a male role model in their lives by serving as a mentor.
For more information on mentoring through Loving Community in our Boys2Men, Men of Distinction, Operation Success, or Lead Forward mentoring initiatives, please contact me at [email protected].
Happy Father’s Day! Jim
