Father's Day

Father’s Day. Like Mother’s Day, it’s complicated.

I was out earlier this Father’s Day morning. During that time at least two, maybe three, people who do not know me wished me a happy Father’s Day.

I appreciate the sentiment – I do! – but not every middle-aged guy who is out and about this morning is necessarily a father. And among those who are fathers, there are those who have complicated relationships with their children. Those dads might not want to be reminded of this holiday.

There are also those men who had complicated or awful or non-existent relationships with their own fathers. Plus, those men who have recently lost their own dads. And dads who have lost a child.

And of course, there are men who may have wanted children but were not able to do so. And men who have made their own decision to not to have children and who may not appreciate being mistaken for a father.

So, yeah. Father’s Day/Mother’s Day are complicated, no matter how much greeting card companies want you to think otherwise.

Having said all that, I am deeply appreciative of the fact that my own father was amazing. And that my two sons are amazing. And that I have been fortunate to know and be friends with many amazing dads.

~217~