Keeping Father’s Day Original
While a form of Father’s Day was observed throughout the Middle Ages in Europe as a tribute to St. Joseph, the earthly father of Jesus, the original holiday in America is credited to Sonora Smart Dodd, who along with her five brothers, were raised by a devoted and selfless father who exemplified love after the passing of their mother during childbirth.
The story goes that in 1909 when Sorona Smart attended a Mother’s Day Service, she had a thought that if mothers deserved a day to be honoured for their loving care, why not fathers. The following year she submitted a petition before the Spokane Ministerial Alliance to recognize the devotion of fathers like her own. The clergy liked the idea but didn’t have enough time to pull together something for June 5, which was her father’s birthday. On June 19, 1910, the first Father’s Day in Spokane, Washington was celebrated with church sermons being dedicated to fathers, with red and white roses given in honour of both living and deceased fathers.
In 1924 President Calvin Coolidge suggested a national day to celebrate fathers, and in 1966 President Lyndon B. Johnson signed a Presidential Proclamation declaring the third Sunday of June as Father’s Day. President Richard Nixon signed a Congressional Resolution in 1972, also declaring the observance of Father’s Day, which has become a common observance in many countries including Canada.
We might not think about our fathers on a daily basis, however, a Father’s Day in June helps us reflect on how our fathers and father figures have impacted our lives. June weather also helps facilitate those outdoorsy Father’s Day gifts for the lawn, fishing trips, and of course BBQing.
In observing my brothers’ dress and grooming, it is obvious to me how much of my father’s DNA runs deep within them. My father was always perfectly put-together, whether he was in a suit and tie for work, or bringing his attire down a notch on weekends to reflect his leisure time with family and friends. His consciousness to his grooming didn’t end in retirement.
He enjoyed car racing, and whenever it was car racing season, he and my younger brother, who shared this same passion, spent every weekend watching these races together. It is lovely to see their shared love for cars and speed continues to be appreciated by my brother as an adult.
My father had an individualized relationship with each one of his children. His strong appearance always gave me the impression that my father was a tough man who did not show any vulnerable emotions. I was surprised to see the extent of his soft side one day when one of my brothers, who played professional soccer, got injured and ended up in hospital. When my brother came home with his left leg in a cast, my father cried. He never wanted any of us to experience pain, and when we did, he never withheld his support.
As a curious thirteen-year-old, I decided to pay my dad a visit at his workplace. I hadn’t realized how far away it was from home until I got there. Then, a bit of a panic set in that my parents would not appreciate my impulsive adventure. To my surprise, dad was pleased to see me and proudly introduced me to his colleagues. As I was leaving, he gave me ice cream cash, which calmed my nerves. When he got home that evening, he shared with the family how he had appreciated my visit. Instead of feeling interrupted, my father saw it as a sign of love from his daughter.
Father’s Day is a day not only to think of what our fathers and father figures mean to us, but also to express our appreciation for them in a meaningful way. For some, a phone call may be just the thing. For others, it may be washing their car, or just hanging out watching an episode or two of their favorite programs. What matters is the original display of affection for them, so they know how much they mean to us. This Father’s Day let us take the time to truly celebrate the men who have been a positive influence to us and have shaped who we are today.
I will be missing the hearty laughs I enjoyed with you dad.
Happy Father’s Day!
