Many boomers have reached the age when our parents are older than we ever imagined they would be – just as we are older than we imagined we would be. That bit of introspective humor aside, Father’s Day is one of those serious occasions when children of all ages, who are fortunate enough to know and love their father delight in spending time with him or sending tokens of appreciation; and those who have lost our dads reflect on Father’s Days past.
I reminisce about the happy times that my siblings and I shared with our WWII Vet dad over the years. Whether he was playing chef, as bar-b-que king at our backyard family cook-outs, fixing up a bushel of crabs, or slapping palms with his partner after “going to Boston” while playing Bid Whist, we had good times.
I delight in remembering the weeks before Father’s Day, when I would search frantically for just the right card or gift. Do I get him another tie or a bathrobe? Shirts or cuff links? My dad liked music, so back in the day I sometimes bought him a couple of 45 rpm records or cassette tapes featuring his favorite, particularly blues, recording artists. (For Generation Xers or your children who may be reading this — No, your eyes did not deceive you. And yes, I said records — as in vinyl — and cassette tapes.) Even when some of dad’s buddies were switching turntables and cassette decks for CD players, dad rejected the idea of fumbling and frustrating over such contemporary devices.
But Father’s Day isn’t all about giving material things. Sometimes an offspring gives dad something more precious. Joseph Mies gave his father the ultimate gift.
The inspiration behind Father’s Day is to honor, appreciate and celebrate our dad. And if we had a loving relationship, we cherish the memories and do so for as long as we live. In recognition of every decent, hard-working father who lovingly and dutifully fulfills his obligation to his children, I share with you a favorite quote by writer Clarence Budington Kelland, “He didn’t tell me how to live; he lived, and let me watch him do it.”