Father’s Day in America is described as a day that celebrates the contributions that fathers and father figures make in their children’s lives. But there is so much more. It’s also a day that children; no matter how old they get, honor and highlight that shared love.
The origins or Father’s Day in the United States may lie in a memorial service held for a large group of men; many of them fathers who were killed in a mining accident in a town called Monongah, West Virginia in 1907. Though it’s not an actual public or federal holiday, it carries with it a special meaning that has become almost sacred when celebrating these family ties.
Father’s Day is always celebrated on the 3rd Sunday in June. In 2020 it falls on June 21st. There is no closing of businesses and public transportation systems run on regular Sunday schedules. But the day is often set aside for spending time with family and or friends when the meaning of fatherhood is the theme of the day. It may be shared all together if those family members live close by in regard to older children. If family members live far apart, the recognition of the day might be in the form of a greeting card sent from afar or a phone call. In the age of the internet, it may be a social media post or even face time via computer or smart phone. Whatever works best is usually the method used but the goal is to make that special contact with one’s ‘dad’, to let them know you’re thinking of them, you care about them and you love them.
Like Mother’s Day, Father’s Day has, over the years become a special tradition to reinforce those bonds if the father is still with us on Earth or to share fond memories with siblings if he has passed on. Whether your father is still here with you or is watching over all from Heaven, Father’s Day is a special time to honor him in the present or honor his memory. It’s a tradition that has endured for generations and will likely continue forever.
