Father’s Day is a special occasion to honour fathers which is celebrated in different ways and on different days depending on where you live in the world. In Canada, USA and the United Kingdom Father’s Day is celebrated on the 3rd Sunday in June. Countries such as Australia and New Zealand celebrate on the first Sunday in September.
Being a worldwide celebrated day means the aspect of Father’s Day is prominent in may places where you look and listen during these times. For many individuals sending a Father’s Day card or giving a present is a way of honouring or showing affection and appreciation for their dads.
BUT, what about the people who are triggered by remembering someone connected to Father’s Day?
A father whose son or daughter is no longer in his life, a son or daughter whose father is no longer in their life, a wife or partner who no longer has that man in their life; how many scenarios do you have in your life?
Death is not the only reason for not having someone in your life. Relationships change, life circumstances create situations where being connected is difficult, out of your control and in some cases just sad.
When a special occasion is in your life such as Father’s Day, you may choose to honour the person you remember and accept the sad moment but don’t stay in the sadness. What good times do you remember? The car rides, funny moments or the comments that play in your mind when you think of him.
Father’s Day remembering or celebrating may be for someone who is or was not a biological father. On the other hand, for some people they may feel a father is not worthy of being celebrated for what ever reason.
The most important component of a relationship worthy of celebrating is the connection bonds to the special person you care about. Perhaps this was or is not a biological father but someone else who played that role in your life such as a neighbour, uncle, grandfather, stepfather, adoptive father and more.
I mention the scenarios above to give you awareness and a different perspective of what others might be thinking of on this special day. Not everyone goes to the sad place in their heart and if they do it may be for a moment and that is okay.
This topic is too big to touch on all aspects.
All my best
Barbara Gillett Saunders
Grief Counsellor/Thanatologist
“Image courtesy of photostock / FreeDigitalPhotos.net”