I'll Always Remember Dad

Happy Father’s Day to all the dads out there.  Today is your day.  I was curious about Father’s Day and wondered about how this custom got started.  After doing a little research I learned a thing or two I never knew before. Father’s Day is celebrated in many countries but often on different dates.  The origination story I like best is the U.S. version, which began in 1908 in Fairmont, West Virginia.  It was a day that honored 361 men who died in a mine disaster, many of whom were fathers. I suppose every country that honors fathers has its own version of how the holiday started.  Another bit of trivia I enjoyed learning was the fact that more “collect” calls are placed on Father’s Day than any other day of the year. I am very fortunate to have had a great Dad and to this day, I still miss him.  The wonderful thing about this day is that we are reminded of our dads and of the times we enjoyed with them. Every Father’s Day I remember how my dad helped me with my Sunday morning paper route. During the week, the papers were thinner and the load was easy to manage.  On Sundays, just like today, the papers were stuffed full of advertising.  I delivered 73 papers daily, and walked my route with canvas bags slung over each shoulder. At 12 years of age, I could manage the load during the week but Sundays were killers.  Even though my dad was tired from working all week, he would get up every Sunday morning and load up the front seat of the Chevy with papers. He trailed along behind me and refilled my bags when I needed more papers. He would stop and read the news, drink his coffee and then catch up to me as I trudged down the block. When the deliveries were all made, rather than just going home, he would say, “ How about some breakfast?”  Off we went to the local diner, just Dad and me.  I always looked forward to those breakfasts with him.  Often after breakfast, because it was still very early in the morning, we would go for a drive in the country and look for game along the country roads.  Sometimes he would let me sit on his lap and drive the car even though I couldn’t reach the pedals. Hopefully you all have some great memories of your dad.  Today is his day, so if he is still living, give him a call to tell him how much you love and appreciate him.  By the way, don’t call him “collect”!

 

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