Happy Father’s Day to all the fathers out there. Here in Pakistan and everywhere in the world anyway today is fathers day. I am not sure how far and wide around the world this celebration extends. I think Mothers Day and Fathers Day should be celebrated everywhere. Any that read this maybe you could tell me if it is celebrated where you live.
I can hear a lot of “oh no’s” echoing from everywhere when I say I have been thinking again. Thinking that is about Fathers day and what it means or could mean.
Now first off, who can be a father? Well biologically the way our bodies are, virtually any male over, I don’t know about the ages of 12 or 13 can father a child. That is just the way it is. Now there is though a world of difference between fathering a child and being a father. I imagine everyone would know what I mean here and no further explanation is needed.
Now I know today will be a day of family gatherings, BBQ’s etc and that the phone lines will be busy to capacity as dads are acknowledged and to that I say right on.
I am issuing two challenges today. First to the fathers. Your children will be gathering around you or calling you to both pay their respects and honor you on this day. I challenge all fathers to take a few moments to reflect on this past year. The year that has gone by since last father’s day. Reflect on the type of father you have been to your children in this past year. Do you really deserve to be honored in this way on this day? What kind of a father have you been in this past year?
We should never look for perfection when we think of our parenting roles, impossible to attain. As you look back you may see situations that were “disastrous” but even that is OK and acceptable if we were truly trying our best. Trying our best is all that can ever be asked of anyone in any situation. Just think about it, did you try your best or deep within do you know you took the easy way out, which often seems to be simply ignoring the kids. Think about this, keep it in mind and accept whatever honors or tributes are passed your way on this, your day. Just keep it in mind, think about it, there will be another father’s day next year. Do you need to and will you be making any changes in this next year?
Another thought to the fathers. Children in our lives are a blessing from God. Could Fathers Day possibly be a day in which we also honor our children the very ones that qualify us as fathers? Without our children this day would be meaningless to us, think about it.
If there are any dead beat dads that read this. I suggest this one thing. Go and pick up a baseball bat,use it to sharply strike yourself on the side of the head.
To the children of all ages celebrating father’s day. Why are you doing it? Have your really given any thought to this day or is it just another day on the calendar. A day in which we feel obligated to give him a call or maybe get the family together. Just because that is what is expected by society to be done. Will you say “Happy Fathers Day” just to get the words out and over with for another year? Mothers Day and Fathers day can have real meaning and significance or they can just be days in which we have a family obligation. Which is it for you?
I would be interested on hearing from all on this.
Miqdad Sibtain
Inside Miqdad's mind... 
Happy Dad’s Day, sir.
I’m not a dad. LOL And even if I was a dad I’m certainly could not be a dead-beat one…. I could be a frustrated, irritated one (kids/adults/human beings can get that way).
I’m not graced to have a dad still around in my life. He went Home to G-d years and years ago. I lost my mother when I was very young. But I have this deep seated admiration for parents and the difficult task of raising a child.
My hats off to them.
And especially my hats off to you.
I did wish my dad happy father’s day this time ,but now i think that instead of this one day eveyday should be fathers day. We should use every moment of our lives to make our fathers and mothers feel that they are indeed very special.
you are being too kind. I also lost my parents many years ago. Now on Mothers Day or Fathers Day all I can do is say a little prayer of thanks. I am sure they get the message. My challenge goes equally to mothers on Mothers Day
I echo those very same feelings back to you. In your post you wrote of our kids being blessings in our lives, that is indeed what you are to me. I thank you for being a blessing.. I love you very much.
I agree these Holidays can be an either or kind of a thing. I actually really enjoyed Fathers Day this year because all the Fathers that I talked to and wished well I actually really meant the well wishes, it from the heart. Yes there have been years when I was rushing around and may have not given it much thought like you said just obligated words. This year I made it a point to listen to stories and to connect and just take time out, not rushing around so much I guess. So for me it was a really good experience. I also adore my father we had a nice long phone conversation wore the phone better down, the only thing that would have been better is to spend time in person.
This Father’s Day was a bit more meaningful for me than most, given that my dad had been in and out of the hospital for the three weeks previous — first with his bypass surgery, and then for kidney stone surgery two weeks later (with two ER visits in between). That made me realize how lucky I am that he is still here!
“If there are any dead beat dads that read this. I suggest this one thing. Go and pick up a baseball bat,use it to sharply strike yourself on the side of the head.”
Right on Miq 🙂