The Importance of Father's Day...........Every Day!

 I've always thought Father's Day is so important.  It always appeared to me that fathers were the strong, silent ones who never complained, worked all the time and in the case of my dad, sometimes had a hole in the sole of his shoe that he NEVER complained about to anyone.  I was going to write about him, and I still might, but I observe a younger father on a regular basis.  It seemed to me that fathering today is much different then it was sixty or seventy years ago.

 It's still the same about being the strong, silent, never complaining part.  But the involvement of a father today, especially a single father, is totally different. Way, way more involved.

Growing up in the 40's and 50's I don't remember ever meeting a single dad.  Ever.  But, in the 80's and 90's after being widowed and dating, I met and dated several single fathers who were raising their children alone.

Selfless, sensitive, kind men - all of them.  Even a few years ago I was blessed to know and date a man who raised SIX kids alone.  It was a privilege to know all of them and him, to put it mildly.  A great memory.

Now I watch on a regular basis as my son has partial custody of his children on two days a week that are always his favorite days.  He looks forward to the time with great enthusiasm.  He comes up with all kinds of innovative things to do and places to go.  One of their favorites is to play on the playground equipment at various places and parks in town.  Another is to go on environmental hikes up at the botanical gardens.  It's always something.

Friends tell me they see the three of them walking down the street or at the organic market - always having fun.  Big smiles and laughter.

To tell you the truth, I don't think I ever went anywhere with my Dad alone in all my years at home.  He worked and he came home.  We cooked in the backyard and watched TV as a family, but other then that, I don't think Dads back then were nearly as involved with the day to day care of their children.

For me, it's fun to just observe the shenanigans of the kids with their dad.  It makes me know that all is right with their world along with the fact that these are memories and lessons that will impact them for their whole lives.

For my son, the rest of the world melts away when he is with  Sebastian and Matilda.  The most important thing to him is being their Father.

                                                            Happy Father's Day John.
      
AND, Happy Father's Day to all the Fathers out there reading this.  You are VERY important and loved.