Mrs. John Dodd, of Washington, first proposed the idea of a “father’s day” in l909, because she wanted a special day to honor her father, a Civil War veteran, realizing the selflessness her father had shown in raising his children as a single parent, after his wife died. Father’s Day has become a day to not only honor your father, but all men who act as father figures; stepfathers, uncles, grandfathers, and adult male friends are all honored on Father’s Day. An estimated billion dollars is spend each year in the United States for Father’s Day gifts, but there are more collect calls on Father’s Day than on any other day of the year, meaning that dad is still paying the bill on phone calls from the kids.
A dad is someone who wants to catch you before you fall,
But instead picks you up, brushes you off, and allows you try again.
A dad is someone who teaches you how to relate to people and animals,
Understanding that a rescued dog offers unconditional love and loyalty.
A dad is someone who wants to keep you from making mistakes,
But instead lets you find your own way,
Even though his heart breaks in silence when you get hurt.
A dad scolds you when you hide a stray puppy in your room,
But recognizes your compassion toward everyone, two-legged and four-legged,
A dad is someone who comforts you when you cry,
And has faith in you even when you fail.
A dad will hold you tight, support you, guide you, teach you, hug you,
Protect you and love you with all his heart and soul.
I AM BLESSED
Like many fathers, my dad turned a blind eye to the faults of his kids, both human and canine. This arrangement suited me and his favorite dog Chester, as we both were sometimes disobedient. Dad loved our high spirits and didn’t want to curb them or restrict our freedom…Now, Mom was a different story…she ran a tight ship, and both Chester and I knew our boundaries and limitations with Mother. For instance, when the neighbor called to complain that Chester had made off with the ham she had cooked for dinner, Mom demanded that Dad go and apologize and that Chester be confined to our own yard from that day forward. He went, reluctantly, mumbling that we would certainly replace the roast, but apparently on his apology-visit, he learned that the neighbor’s boys often left the door leading from the garage into the house ajar. Immediately he defended his companion with “Well, what does she expect if they leave the door open? Chester viewed this as an invitation to enter and sample whatever lay on the counter.” Mother replaced the ham and included some homemade cookies, and Chester stayed confined to the yard for two days, until Dad said he couldn’t stand it anymore….we were never sure whether he meant he couldn’t stand it or Chester couldn’t stand it, but Chester went back to his old exuberant self. And me? I grew up knowing, even when I was disagreeable or disobedient, that I had everything I needed…love, time, and attention, and to this day, I think my dad turns a blind eye to my faults, and although he didn’t tell me how to live, he lived an exemplary life, and I watched him do it. I am blessed to call him DAD.
We wish all dads a relaxing, shoes- off, slippers- on, wonderful kind of day. HAPPY FATHER’S DAY!
