Father’s Day
Wow, time is flying by. I can’t believe it is the middle of not only June but of 2023. Despite no rain, thanks to an irrigation system, I have already picked some baby lettuces, kale, rhubarb and lots of herbs are growing in leaps and bounds. Garden maintenance has begun too with the dead-heading process of already spent flowers and weeding. It is a joy, for me anyway, to spend time keeping my gardens and lawn in shape. My only complaint: the mosquitoes. I just about get carried away. I know deet is not good for you but to work in my yard it is mandatory.
And another June mile marker is Father’s Day, always the third Sunday in June. The first was celebrated in 1910 on the third Sunday in June. Sonora Smart Dodd was a driving force in founding the day in honor of her father, a Civil War veteran and single parent, William Jackson Smart, who raised his 6 children. The holiday did not experience much success as Americans perceived it as another commercial holiday just like Mother’s Day. But by the 1980’s retailer’s declared it a “Second Christmas” for all men’s gift orientated industries.
The original bill for national recognition was introduced to congress in 1913. In 1916 President Woodrow Wilson spoke at a Father’s Day celebration in Spokane Washington and wanted to make it an official holiday. Congress, also fearing commercialization, refused and it was not until 1972 that President Richard Nixon made it a national holiday by signing it into law.
This will be the twelfth Father’s Day without my Dad. He loved the water and many Father’s Days were spent on his boat. He was in his glory! There was nothing that made him happier than to be with his 7 children. He, along with my mom, were our “biggest fans.” He’d never miss a sporting event, play or concert of ours unless he was working. And when grandchildren came along he did the same with them. His encouragement and support were monumental. We miss you dad!!!
I am planning to make a drive to Dad’s final resting place at Great Lakes National Cemetery in Holly on Sunday. It’s a great peaceful country ride on back roads from Milford. I’ll take some flowers and visit for a bit. Depending on the time I go I may have a split of Champagne – one of his favorites – and filter through many memories.
NOW, GO OUT AND MAKE IT ANOTHER MILLION DOLLAR DAY!
XXOO, Mary, Maddie, Sophie, Kos and DJ