Father’s Day has been around since 1910, when Sonora Smart
Dodd arranged a celebration at a YMCA in Spokane, Washington. Her dad, a Civil
War veteran, had been the single father of six. Hearing a Mother’s Day sermon
in 1909, Sonora decided men should get the same honor. President Calvin
Coolidge recommended the holiday in 1924 but stopped short of issuing a national
proclamation.
But the celebration didn’t catch on readily, criticized by
many as merely an excuse to replicate the commercial success of Mother’s Day. In
1957, Maine Senator Margaret Chase Smith accused Congress of ignoring half of
our parents. President Lyndon Johnson passed the first presidential proclamation honoring
fathers on the third Sunday in June (Sonora had initially wanted her father’s
birthday, June 5) and finally, President Richard Nixon sighed the holiday into law in 1972.
As for me, sadly, I lost my dad in a car accident some 30
years ago, just a few months after my son was born. I like to think the angels
part heavenly clouds once in a while so he can peek down and see how blessed I
am. Silly, but it gives me comfort. And
among my greatest blessings is a hubby who’s a terrific dad and grampa.
Therefore...
This poem is just too adorable not to share. Last year hubby
printed it out and framed it for our son and son-in-law who have each given us
a grandson
Enjoy Father’s Day! Oh, the photo isn’t anybody I know...(Dreamstime)
but it so fits!
A LITTLE FELLOW FOLLOWS ME
A careful man I want to be,
A little fellow follows me;
I dare not to go astray
For fear he’ll go the
self-same way,
I cannot once
escape his eyes,
Whatever he sees me do, he tries;
Like me he says
he’s going to be,
The little chap
who follows me.
He thinks that I am good and fine,
Believes in every word of mine;
The base in me he
must not see,
The little chap
who follows me.
I must remember as
I go
Through summer’s
sun and winter’s snow;
I am building for
the years to be
That little chap
who follows me.
Tanya, nice post. Even thought you don't know the individuals, the photo is perfect for your post.
ReplyDeleteTanya--absolutely perfect for Father's Day--or any day. I love the photo!
ReplyDeleteI, too, lost my father almost 30 years ago, very suddenly. He was only my age I am right now. That makes me really stop and think.
For my daddy, it was a blessing. He'd only been in the hospital once and never went to a doctor. He always said he'd die before he'd go to the hospital again. And he did. So, maybe he wished himself to leave us--he knew he had a bad heart.
The poem is so sweet. Our three grandsons play with me and talk with me...but rarely to my husband. But when they were younger, he played a "sleeping monster" game with them, and he could scare them silly. Oh, they loved that game, and it gave them the chance to run and hide, and scream their lungs out. I know...it's probably not a good game, but that's what they will remember one day about their granddad...he took care of them, but he also played The Sleeping Monster game with them.
(He'd start it in the house, but soon I said, "Move outside, Monster.")
Thanks for this sweet post...
I lost my dad in 1999 after a lengthy illness but I'm fortunate my children got to know him before he left us. He was a wonderful role model while he lived and I miss him daily. Thank you for the history lesson. I never gave it much thought other than a day to celebrate the men in my life.
ReplyDeleteHi Caroline, yeah, the pic is adorable. There's another cowboy with a little boy photo that I've seen on blogs and FB over the years but I couldn't find it. Aw well. We had a great sleep over with the kids for this wonderful Father's Day. And hope everybody out there is enjoying family and fun!
ReplyDeleteHi Celia, I know, I'm older that Daddy when he died. It is thought -provoking, for sure. I always wonder in heaven, if we'll meet as we were then, I dunno.
ReplyDeleteI love your Monster game! The kids and grampa watched Monsters Inc. this morning!
Thanks for the post today. Enjoy those little guys!
Hi Ciara, I must say, that's one heartbreak I can't overcome...that my kids didn't get to know my wonderful father. He was truly a good man from ever pore and cell. At his funeral, people of all ages, colors and sizes came up to us and revealed marvelous things he 'd done for them. Aw, I miss him. It's especially poignant because my mother has not been around, and she could have been. (long story) So glad you have wonderful memories, as do I, of our dads!
ReplyDeleteThanks for posting.
I didn't know all the history about Father's Day, Tanya, so thanks for this post. I love the poem!
ReplyDeletehi Linda, it's so heart-touching, isn't it? Thanks for posting. Hope your family had a wonderful Fathaer's day!
ReplyDeleteSweet post, Tanya! I didn't know the history behind Father's Day. Thanks for that tidbit! I lost my wonderful father in 2007 to Alzheimer's. But I was lucky, not just to have him as my father, but to be able to sit on his bed beside him, holding his hand as he took his last breath.
ReplyDeleteOh Lauri, what a beautiful memory! Wow. My husband has been just the kind of daddy to our kids that Daddy was to me. I got so lucky and blessed--twice.
ReplyDelete