Mother’s Day became a national holiday 58 years
before Father’s day became an officially recognized holiday in 1972. And, I
remember Mother’s Days past more than I remember Father’s Days. But, that may
be more a family thing.
For most of my life, my dad celebrated Father’s Days
with my brothers – going on weekend hiking trips or fishing or something else I
wasn’t, by reason of my gender, included in. I remember that our church had organized
father-son hiking trips and I even remember hearing talk about a father-daughter
trip (with a much shorter hike), but I never went on one. I had three older
brothers to compete for my dad’s time and attention.
I’ve thought about my dad a lot lately, though. He’s
going to be 73 years old next month. I’m glad he’s still around and living
close by.
He’s a good man and he has always been a good role
model to my siblings and me. He worked hard. He went to work even when he didn’t
feel like it. His work ethic is something I learned from him, and it’s an
important value to me. When I have students who miss class, I tell them this: I’ve
earned five college degrees and I never missed a lecture. Even the day I had a miscarriage,
I still went to class. I don’t call in sick for work, either. In fact, most of
winter term this year, I was pretty much lecturing in a flu-like fog. I was
miserable and in intense pain many days, but not showing up was never an
option. I fulfill my commitments. It’s a value I learned from my dad.
The other day, I wasn’t feeling well and I called my
dad and asked him to bring me some Advil. Ten minutes later, he was letting
himself in, with a cold bottle of water in one hand and Advil in the other. He
does things like that for me and my children all the time. He’s my superhero. I’m
sorry to break it to you, but my dad’s the greatest dad of all.
Far too many men these days abandon their
responsibilities and their children. We need to recognize the real men who step
up to the plate, every day choosing to do what’s right. Happy Father’s Day to
all the men out there who work hard and sacrifice to support their families.
But if any provide not for his own, and specially
for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an
infidel.
1 Timothy 5:8
