Happy Father's Day!

Father's Day is always very special to me. I'm lucky enough to have a great husband who is a wonderful father to our boys. I know how important it is never to take that for granted, especially in the world we live in today. I'm also lucky enough to have spent just a hair over 30 years with my amazing dad, who did everything from coach year after year of my softball team when I was a kid, to look after my newborn son so that I could return to work for a few months (even though dad was in his 70s). He also gave me a great sense of humor, my love of the outdoors and an empty spot in my heart when he passed away.

Did you know that this year is the 100th Anniversary of Father's Day? It was started by a woman who was raised by her father after her mother died and realized on Mother's Day one year that fathers deserved a day to be recognized as well. You can click on that link if you'd like to read the story of how it all got started.


I wanted to share a little poem I found when I was creating the booklet for my dad's memorial service. I put it on the inside of the booklet and I think it's a perfect tribute to dads who are no longer with us.

He is Gone
Author: David Harkins

You can shed tears that he is gone
Or you can smile because he has lived

You can close your eyes and pray that he will come back
Or you can open your eyes and see all that he has left

Your heart can be empty because you can't see him
Or you can be full of the love that you shared

You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday
Or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday

You can remember him and only that he is gone
Or you can cherish his memory and let it live on

You can cry and close your mind, be empty and turn your back
Or you can do what he would want: smile, open your eyes, love and go on.

Happy Father's Day everyone! To all the dads who read my blog and the wonderful dads of blog readers! Give them an extra big hug today and let them know how much you appreciate them being in your life.