Well, if you haven’t noticed, another Father’s Day has come and gone. Hope our dads got a call or a text. If you actually sent a present—wow, thanks for being better than most of us.
I don’t really remember past Father’s Days. Not in any memorable way, at least. Maybe there was dinner or a card from school, but nothing that stuck. And truthfully, I didn’t mind and was thankful for anything I got.
Lately, though, something’s shifted. I find myself wanting… something. I’m not even sure what. I mentioned this to Kacie, exaggerating dramatically, and she just stared at me ‘… He’s doing one of his monologues again…’ She didn’t say anything, but did cook an extra strip of meat that night which made me perfectly happy.
Anyway, maybe you know the feeling. That quiet desire that all this effort—the quiet worrying, the logistics, the loving, the trying, shouldn’t just pass completely unnoticed. Most days I don’t know if I’m doing enough. But I’m sharply aware of the ways I could be doing better. It’s a strange class. No one gives you a grade, but you always feel like know you’re one assignment behind.
Some of us relatively older dads, the ones who’ve weathered the peaks and valleys, health scares, ongoing ER visits, even tragic loss, move differently. Quieter. Slower. Gentler. Watching the newer dads sprinting through the thick of it, in varying degrees of emotion. We don’t say much, but we choose our words carefully, because not much needs to be said. We all understand what’s going on. We remember that situation, that tempo. It’s a long run. Just take care of yourself too. Especially today.
So yes. It’s a special day. And just like we understand Mother’s Day is more special each year, we acknowledge it’s the same for Fathers Day.
Maybe not loudly. But more real, more understanding, a few more nods to each other. A moment to gather around, like at a late-night café, quietly talking and laughing. Or maybe you just lean back, sip a glass of wine or a cold one, and close your eyes, half listening. The “Happy Father’s Day” messages feel a little more heartfelt each year. As if, if not for me, for everyone who’s tried so hard this past year. The ones who don’t respond, well, we get it. Take your time.
So if you’re a dad: heartfelt congrats, and cheers to all your incredible work. You’re doing awesome.
As for me, I still got to stop by my favorite place today, and had a great hike the day before. So all in all, not bad.
And that reminds me, this whole post is completely about myself. If my dad reads this, he’d be like thats all fine and good son, so where my recognition? I need to call him. Happy Father’s Day to the best dad in the world.
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