Father’s Day is observed in the United States on the third Sunday of June in honor of fathers and fatherhood. While the holiday has been celebrated on various days since its inception in 1910, it was not officially established until 1972 by President Richard Nixon. He made a Proclamation naming the third Sunday of June as Father’s Day. This Proclamation encouraged an appreciation of fathers with appropriate ceremonies and activities. The holiday celebrates fatherhood as well as gratitude for all that fathers have done for their children throughout history.
What Is Father’s Day?
Many cultures celebrate a day to honor fathers. There are many days celebrating fathers around the world. Some were established as early as 1908 in Europe and Asia, while others are more recent. For example, Father’s Day in the United States is a holiday, observed on the third Sunday in June, to honor fathers. Credit for originating the holiday is generally given to Sonora Smart Dodd of Spokane, Washington, whose father, a Civil War veteran, raised her and her five siblings after their mother died in childbirth. Today, it is celebrated on various dates across different countries worldwide. Still, it is always held in June in America to honor all those extraordinary men who are essential in our lives.
Creating an Appreciation Ritual
Families have different traditions for celebrating special days, such as Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, or Christmas. But what do you do when your spouse or child is away from home on a holiday? Here are a few tips to help you build family rituals that honor your loved ones while they are away. These ideas focus on cultivating gratitude. Research indicates that expressing gratitude can have a profoundly positive impact on our physical and mental well-being, relationships, community engagement, and stress levels.
Acknowledge their absence with an email or letter: You might not be able to be with your father on his special day, but sending him an email or letter will let him know he is not forgotten. You can talk about how much he means to you and how much you appreciate him. Add photos of yourself so he has something tangible to hold onto as well. And make sure it’s handwritten – nothing says I love you more than pen-to-paper communication!
The Spirituality of Father’s Day
In many ways, Father’s Day is a spiritual holiday. If you’re religious, then it’s about honoring God. If you believe in karma, it’s about paying respect to those who have helped you reach where you are today. And if you’re not religious or don’t believe in karma, that’s OK too. It can be about honoring your father as a man who cared for you when he didn’t have to—or even better, as a man who loves you unconditionally.
Types of Father Figures
The type of father figure that makes an impact varies from person to person, as individual experiences and needs shape our perceptions of paternal roles. Parents, step-parents, mentors, teachers, coaches, or even strangers can serve as father figures. Each offers unique perspectives, support, and guidance. These figures may have had a profound influence on us during critical moments in our lives. They have taught us valuable lessons about responsibility, compassion, and resilience.
Anyone who takes on a parental role will significantly impact your life, whether through shared moments of joy, encouragement during challenging times, or by simply being there when you need someone to turn to. So, don’t be afraid to honor all of your fathers. Each of them has contributed to your journey in meaningful ways. Celebrate their diverse influences and acknowledge the multitude of lessons learned from each of these relationships.
How to Be Thankful for Your Dad
Thank your dad for being supportive, loving, nurturing, and caring. Thank him for working hard to provide a home for you and your family. Thank him for taking the time to play with you as a child, even though he was too busy with work to spend time with you. If you have kids of your own, thank him for passing on his excellent parenting skills to them. Now that may sound like it’s right out of a Hallmark card, but remember that not all dads are perfect—or even good—but they’re always worth celebrating because they’re someone’s dad! It is never too late or too early to show how much you appreciate everything your father has done for you. -MM
References:
Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. “Father’s Day”. Encyclopedia Britannica, 19 Apr. 2022, https://www.britannica.com/topic/Fathers-Day. Accessed 18 June 2022.
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