Father’s Day

Yesterday, the social networks were filled with tributes to fathers.  It was mind blowing to see the sentiments of multitudes of social networking friends, posting thanks to their fathers, both living and dead.  It was heartwarming, to see posts from wives, thanking their husbands for their excellent skills in parenting.

During this age of broken families, where one parent often, assumes the responsibility of parenting, it gives me hope that the winds of change are just around the corner.  As I remember the days of my childhood, it is amazing how much the family structure has changed.  Larger families were prevalent, with the traditional Mom and Dad.  Father’s were viewed as the disciplinary parent, and bread winner, while mothers raised the children.  All household duties were assigned to her, and dads did the more laborious, yard work.

Today, often times, dads stay home with the children, while moms go to work and bring home the “bacon”.  Fathers who are in the daily role of childcare, are preforming with a bang.  These role reversals seem to work well, but would never be attempted in the “olden” days.  Role reversal has been made possible, in part, due to higher wages for women in the workforce.  I must admit, fathers in this age, have a more “hands on” role in their children’s life, helping in everyday childcare needs.  This is a plus for children and the family.

I could not help but share these posts, as they are sentiments of fathers in this age.  “Happy Father’s Day! Our kids absolutely adore you. They literally crawl all over you every day because they can’t get enough of sweet Daddy. I never imagined I would find someone to be my best friend and such a loving dad to our children.”  And…”Happy Father’s Day to my husband, who is the rock to my roll. Without you…. none of this would be. I love you.”

And… for the many posts to fathers, who are no longer here, I found this post to be appropriate. “When you remember me, it means you have carried something of who I am with you, that I have left some mark of who I am on who you are. It means that you can summon me back to your mind even though countless years and miles may stand between us. It means that if we meet again, you will know me. It means that even after I die, you can still see my face and hear my voice and speak to me in your heart.” (Rev. Frederick Buechner)