Sandra Healing Steiner's Blog, page 98

As Father’s Day approaches….

What are we really celebrating? Each of us has a different mental image that comes to us when we think of Mother’s Day and Father’s Day! We all have parents, both a mother and a father as it took both to create us. In some families we celebrate two moms on Mother’s Day or two dads on Father’s Day, or perhaps there are step-parents, biological parents and adoptive parents to take into account too. I believe we are giving thanks for the little things that they have done throughout the year, or over the years as the case may be. One thing that I do try to do each year is give those moms and dads who have struggled through difficult times the encouragement to remember they are doing the best they can with what they have. But in my mind it is all the same.

I could choose to remember the sad moments, or the arguments I had with both of my parents over the years, but instead I choose to focus on the good stuff. We were all very strong minded people and sometimes that makes a relationship difficult, however I think they both know that I love them dearly.

My dad passed away in August of 2002, just a year and a half before my daughter. Our relationship was not always great, and he was not around a lot as my parents separated when I was small, but at times like this I try to remember the good things we did together. I remember him bringing me a bike. It was a used red five speed and I loved it. I also remember with a bit of a smile how my siblings and I convinced him to go on the strawberry ride at the stampede carnival one year, he was so sick after we twirled him around and around. Both my parents were there to walk me down the aisle at my first wedding in 1986. I had never seen my father dressed up in a suit before and it made me smile. My relationship with my mom has not always been easy, we had some awful arguments and difficult times, but there were some amazing moments as well. We did a lot of camping (tenting) when I was at home still and it often turned into a family reunion at the lake with my mom’s family. I think back and remember how she used to put up with the fighting between my brother and I. Oh dear, we put her through a lot.

Take a moment this weekend and wish someone close to you a happy father’s day. You might be the only one that does.

To my husband Cory, his dad Mel, my son Matt, and to the father of my boys…along with all the other Dads out there…………… HAPPY FATHER’S DAY! Thank you for doing the best you can do, I hope you have a wonderful Fathers day this year!