Are you celebrating Father’s Day today?

Most of the western world celebrates Father’s Day today whereas other countries and cultures celebrate such a day at different times of the year.

Initially, I found the concept of having a special day for fathers a bit strange – in my Indian culture, it’s our duty to always respect and honour our fathers and mothers. So I used to wonder why anyone would need a specific day just for that?

However the idea of having an extra-special day with your father is a fun thing to do and I hope that where ever you are, all fathers and their families are having a fabulous day of celebration.

At the same time,  I do cringe when I see how commercial such special days have become. You can buy all sorts of specially created gifts for your father and though giving such a gift is a nice gesture, I suggest you be sensible and do not succumb to all the hype around this day.

Honour, appreciate and remember your father for what he does and has done for you.

Spending time with your father and showing your love in a human way is probably the best gift you can him. Tell him how much you love, what he means to you and how much you appreciate all he does for you. And not just today, but every day.

A few weeks ago, I wrote about one should honour and love their mother every day and not just on Mother’s Day.

The same applies to fathers – I mean why would you not honour and love your father every day?

It is over 2 years ago since I lost my own father and it still seems a bit surreal, as it feels like he is still with us, and his essence is all around me. It seems like only yesterday that I received that fateful call in the middle of the night from my mother.

No matter what, he will always be my daddy.

So today is an extra-special opportunity for me to remember him – and yesterday I visited the grounds and gardens where his ashes were scattered. It was quite a poignant visit.

I have previously written at length about losing my father, my grief and my journey since then. For my many new readers, here are my key posts below.

Take your time reading these articles – I have been deeply touched by the many friends who have written to say how much reading these articles has helped with their own grief:-

1. Lessons in compassion from my father

2. Lessons in life and death from my father

3. The first-ever year of my life without my father

4. How to suffer excruciating pain and live again

Looking back over the last 2 years and the grieving period, it is amazing how quickly the time has just flown by. It has been a time of reflection and appreciating what my father did for us and what meant to us.

Father’s day will always be a time to remember just what my father has done for me.

Here’s a very poignant video of a father’s love for his son – it is also a classic example of what the human spirit is capable of. This clip shows all that’s great and noble about being a human being. Believe me – the next 3 minutes will be truly uplifting:

 

Has there ever been a greater sporting example of the human spirit and fatherly love at the same time?

So on this day, do take some time out to remember also what your father has done for you and continues to do so.

And remember from today onwards to be appreciative and grateful every day for what your father has done for you.

Happy Father’s Day everyone – today and every day.