Father's Day Re-Cap

Every so often you have the kind of day that makes everything worthwhile. Yesterday was that kind of day. After losing Dad over twelve years ago, Father’s Day can still carry a touch of melancholy for me- not devastating, but it’s there. And over the years, I’ve come to look at his loss from a different perspective, a perspective that I keep thinking I’ll write about here someday. But, not today.

Yesterday was wonderful. I had gifts from everyone that were thoughtful, and in many ways, for what they represent, irreplaceable really. Wind chimes from Sam and an iris bulb and garden "frog" from Jake and an antique book of George Washington speeches wrapped in hand crafted from Rachael, and a very lovely and warm photo album from Helaina along with a chair she spent a lot of time and effort beautifully restoring for me. All of these things represent connections between the kids and myself that are invaluable to me.

The weather held off long enough for us to have a picnic together at Skinner State Park. We hadn’t been there as a family since before Sam was born. We ate near the same spot we had close to twenty years ago.

From there we went to visit Dad’s grave, as I have every Father’s Day. Every year I think his loss won’t bother me as much as it had the year before. And every year I’m wrong. Touching his cold headstone is a poor substitute for a warm hug, but you take what you get when there are no other options. I know that Dad lives on through me and in each one of my kids and that's more than most people get. But I would love to be able to hear his voice just one more time.

We spent the rest of the day running a few errands and later, Helaina, Rachael, and Jake took me to a movie in the evening. I can’t remember that last time the four of us went to a movie together, but it’s been a while. It used to be something we did a couple of times a year- back in the “old days”, but it’s one of the many things that gets harder as people develop their own lives and interests. It was nice to share the car ride to and from the movie, and it was nice to share the time sitting in the theater as we waited for the show to begin… and the movie was pretty good too.

Afterwards, we brought Jake back to his place- loaded up with food that I had cooked over the weekend. I don’t quite know how he feels about having so much food, but it makes me feel better.

I got back home way past my bedtime- close to 10:30. And after taking care of a few minor things in preparation for work the next day, I went upstairs and tried to go to sleep.

I tell anyone that will listen (and most people are probably sick of hearing it), but I wonder if I tell my kids enough- that I’m extremely lucky to have them- not for the gifts they gave me yesterday, though those were great, but for the gifts they give me every day.