I feel terrible. I didn’t do anything for the Big Man for Father’s Day yesterday. He said he didn’t care, and I believe him, but I care. And I even forgot even to call my own father, let alone send him a gift.
People make fun of the “Hallmark holidays” as the creations of corporations to force spending on the public, but I think they’re important.
It’s good to be reminded once a year to think about your mother and father, and to do something to show your appreciation.
After all, actions follow feelings, so loving actions strengthen loving feelings. I remember a few years ago, I was furious at the Big Man for some reason. But figuring out a Father’s Day plan with the Big Girl completely dissipated my anger.
That’s why I’m so upset about my failure this year.
I make the feeble excuse that we were visiting friends for the weekend, so I couldn’t even fall back on the let’s-make-him-breakfast-in-bed.
And we didn’t have Saturday to concoct our usual homemade gift, as we usually do. By the way, if you like to give homemade presents, a great investment is a laminator. Laminating makes anything special—a drawing, a card, an invitation. One of my favorite gifts is to ask the Big Girl to write a list of “Ten Reasons I Love X…” or “Ten Things I Love To Do with X…” She dictates, I type, she picks a different fancy font for each item, (the Big Girl is obsessed with fonts), decorate with stickers, then laminate. This gift is thoughtful, easy to display and store, and really captures a moment in a child’s life.
But for Father’s Day this year, nothing. We’re going to Kansas City in a few days, so I promised my father we’d have a postponed Father’s Day celebration when we arrive. But what to do about the Big Man? I think I’ll have to plan something really special for next year.
