[Ron’s wife =
Marlene Robershaw had this tribute to father’s published in their =
local paper (The Ramona Sentinel). Since both are avid readers of the =
grif.net blog, we thought we’d pass along HER work for our =
Father’s Day weekend edition.]
Let’s be honest folks, Father’s Day =
definitely takes a backseat to Mother’s Day. Look at the facts: Father’s =
Day was not celebrated until 3 years after Mother’s day. On the =
calendar it follows Mother’s Day by one month, Mother’s Day dwarfs =
Father’s Day in the encyclopedia, and sales for cards and flowers =
definitely do not break records on Father’s Day. And what about those =
calls to far away fathers on their day? It is Mother’s Day that tops the =
charts for long distance calls.
So what is the point I am making? It =
certainly is not to belittle the importance of Fathers but to show that =
mom’s attention is just more visible. Dads hold an equal place of =
love in our hearts, but we show it with more reserve and less =
fluff. And that’s how most Dads are. They quietly go about =
their work and responsibilities and earn our love and respect by being =
there for us.
The creation of Father’s Day is a very =
inspirational story of a hard-working single dad named William Jackson =
Smart. His wife died in 1898 while giving birth to their sixth child, =
and this Civil War veteran was left to raise the children alone in rural =
Washington.
In May 1909, Smart’s daughter, by then a =
married woman named Sonora Dodd, heard a sermon on Mother’s Day, =
enumerating the virtues of motherhood. Sonora decided to honor her dad’s =
dedication to his children by seeking to have a Father’s Day designated =
on the calendar. As we know, she was successful and we have been =
celebrating our fathers ever since.
In the era I grew up – the 40’s – =
our dad’s worked and supported the family, came home and put their =
slippers on and read the paper, hugged and kissed the children in a =
reserved manner and were a solid rock. They were always there for =
us.
But even though we didn’t have the =
generous expressions of love from our dads, we always knew they loved =
us. I had the assurance of my dad’s love without a lot of words or =
outward expressions. His love for me was so strong, I still feel it even =
though he died many years ago. I will always remember the one time he =
had to use the "belt" on me for discipline. He didn’t give me =
a 5 minute explanation before the punishment or apologize afterward, but =
I could feel his pain more than mine as he executed the judgment. =
Afterward, I knew he still loved me. I can still see dad’s tears as he =
walked me down the aisle to give me away in marriage. My father made me =
help do some of the yard work-I hated it. Now I am glad for his =
persistence as I enjoy my gardening.
The fathers of today are actively involved =
in the everyday activities of their children. They have been taught and =
encouraged to openly express their affections. Dads do dishes, cook, =
change diapers and set aside daily "quality" time with =
their offspring. I am amazed and thrilled to see the part my sons and =
son-in-law’s play in the nurturing of my grandchildren. Dads are =
still the vanguard of discipline in the home. They don’t use belts =
anymore, but just the firm and resolute "no" of a dad is =
powerful.
I don’t think enough has been vocalized or =
written about the importance the father has as a role model for his =
children. Actions speak louder than words, and dads are being watched by =
those little and growing eyes in the family. Good fathers not only tell =
us how to live – they show us.
Thank you Dads !
~~
Dr Bob Griffin =
[email protected] www.grif.net =
"Jesus Knows Me, This I =
Love!"