“The difference between a ‘man’ and a ‘father’ is that the former shares his genes, but latter gives his life.” ― Craig D. Lounsbrough It’s Father’s Day today.
So a big shout out to all you dads out there putting in the work! Marla Hoffman Many of you will be visiting your fathers today. Some of our younger readers may be busy making construction paper cards for their dear old dads. Others are planning well-timed phone calls and FaceTime sessions.
Some may feel a little bit sullen today — those of you whose fathers have passed on may feel that grief a bit stronger. I hope memories of Father’s Days past are still strong within you. Some of the luckier people out there are celebrating twice: for the one who gave you your eyes, and for another who helped raised you.
More still, some of you may be sitting between your dads right now at the breakfast table. For others, Father’s Day is a tough reminder that their own fathers lost the right to call themselves “dad” a long time ago. Whatever your family situation is, our relationships with our dads can run the gamut from easy and joyful to difficult, at best.
When it comes to my life, I have had what you might call a “complicated” relationship with “dad.” My father was one of those who left when I was very young. I know many of you can understand that sort of situation, which is all too common for too many children.
It comes with very mixed emotions. He died in 2019 after not seeing me for about 29.