A date to celebrate arrives the third Sunday in June, this year June 17th. It’s Father’s Day. For most it ranks in importance well below the other day set aside to honor the other unit in the family, Mother.
Today, despite the prevalence of too many homes without a Father’s presence, the significance of his role in the family is critically important yet sadly his influence seems to be declining. Some will argue that society today does not place Fathers on a pedestal as was the case generations ago.
Marriage today seems to be an inconvenience for some Fathers. Way back in the time of your grandfather, it was generally unheard of for a family to be absent in the home. Today because of changing attitudes and programs that make it possible for single parents to exist without any social stigma it is the rule not the exception for too many children to grow up lacking this important male role model. But one father was not in that category.
He was never one of his son’s best ‘friends’ or a ‘pal.’ This reminiscing family member never thought of his father (1890-1965) except as the ultimate respected authority in the household. No, he was not a tyrant, he hardly ever raised his voice and there were no threats but when he spoke, there was no questioning. The only hope for an appeal was when the Mother intervened but fortunately it was a rare occurrence at any rate.
He hardly ever showed any emotion or outward affection. He was however gracious and praised those who deserved commendation but customarily not with a “thank you “or an embrace but almost always with a “much obliged.” One might surmise he was cold and indifferent, but this assumption would be wrong. He showed his love in other ways. It is generally accepted that true love knows no boundaries and can be defined in unlimited ways. For instance…
Most significantly this father provided his son with a good name, a treasure without price. The boy was always aware of how fortunate he was to have been his son, the child of parents who were respected by all who knew them whose character was unmatched. Today when one reviews any act of kindness performed that the son might grant, he thinks of following in his fathers’s footsteps. He showed by example as a role model how to serve others and why. “He didn’t tell me how to live; he lived, and let me watch him do it.” – Charles Budington Kelland
Then there were so many material things that were unconditional gifts such as the big ticket items. When the son went off to school, he was given a blank check and told to fill it out for whatever the costs. This was possible because of his father’s success, but even so, he was willing to make this loving sacrifice so that his son could achieve some little success in life. And he did not do such acts just for one of his children. All of them were recipients of his beneficence.
Then there were many other acts of his generosity. One might say ‘his’ generosity, but it was not just a solo act since the Mother was equally responsible for whatever good things he might have done for the family
The following statement might apply to some fathers but not to the one recalled.
“When I was a boy of fourteen, my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to have the old man around. But when I got to be twenty-one, I was astonished at how much he had learned in seven years.”
Fathers Day Quote by: Mark Twain, “Old Times on the Mississippi” Atlantic Monthly, 1874
“A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches…” Proverbs 22:1
*
Bill Lee
P.O. Box 128
Hamer, SC 29547
