Beyond The Blue

[#1]

When one looks at all the holidays on the calendar each year, I often wonder how many really pay attention to Father’s Day? 

This year, Father’s Day falls on Sunday, June 18^th and I’m sure that a great many fathers out there will receive aftershave, ties and a number of other cliché gifts that Father’s Day often evokes (don’t be offended moms, I know you get a lot of cliché gifts on your day as well ).

For me, Father’s Day is bittersweet, as my father passed away when I was 10 and while each year that passes helps to ease that pain (as they say, time heals all wounds), each year Father’s Day leaves me a bit confused on how I should observe it myself.  Adding to that confusion is that fact that I’m a stepfather, with my daughter’s biological father still very much a part of her life.  It makes for a complicated day to be sure. 

While I could sit here and tell you about all the technology you could buy for your father that Best Buy sells, instead, I’m going to offer some advice (from my perspective) on a few things you can do for Father’s Day that hopefully has some real impact:

• Consider taking your father-in-law out for dinner or making dinner for them at your home. We usually take my father-in-law out for dinner and celebrate with good food and even better conversation.  My father-in-law and I are very similar and it makes for a very pleasant evening. 

• For those of you who have stepfathers, consider a card that simply says “Thanks for being there for me.” If they are like me, they’ll appreciate that as much as any gift you might get them.
  
  
• Let him have a say in what he wants to do. Both mom and dad often have their days already so planned out that what they really want to do most is not have the day planned. 
  
  
• Speaking personally, I LOVE gift cards. It lets me get what I want and then you don’t have to agonize over whether they are going to like their gift.  Remember to include a card (hand-made or store bought) with a personal note that tells them how you really feel about them.
  
  
• If your own father is not around for whatever reason, think about your grandfather(s), or an uncle or friend’s father that has had an impact on your life. Give them a call to wish them a Happy Father’s Day or send them a card.
   
• Consider volunteering at a retirement facility for a few hours and spend some time visiting with the men there. You’d be surprised how many aren’t visited on that day and would love the company.
  
  
• How about a care package with Dad’s favorite snacks (that NOBODY else eats?)

I hope that these suggestions give you some food for thought this Father’s Day and for future Father's Days.  Keep in mind that not all dads may be comfortable with the touchy-feely aspects of what I’ve presented and for them, we have our Latest for the Greatest Dad selections on BestBuy.com.

"A father is neither an anchor to hold us back nor a sail to take us there, but a guiding light whose love shows us the way."-Unknown