It's that time of year where we get to celebrate our wonderful fathers, grandpas and honorary dads who have been influential or just downright impactful in shaping our lives in the most positive way. Did you know though that Father's Day was not an immediately acknowledged as the honorary Father's Day as we have come to know it? It was one woman's unrelenting mission to honor fathers that has enabled the day on our yearly calendars. That woman was Sonora Dodd.
She was originally laughed at when she pitched the idea and was told that not only would it compete with Mother's Day, and commercialize the day for fathers, but she'd be better off naming it a "national fishing day!" President Woodrow Wilson was the first president in office at the time who loved the idea and pushed for it, but came up against opposition from Congress. Later in 1924 President Calvin Coolidge also tried to recognize it as a holiday, but didn't push hard enough to proclaim it as a national holiday. There was even an attempt to combine Mother's Day and Father's Day into one holiday but that didn't go over well either.
It took Sonora Dodd 50 long years of advocating and appealing to presidents and congress before it was finally recognized as a national holiday, and now Father's Day is nationally celebrated on the third Sunday in June by President Lyndon B. Johnson's Executive Order in 1966. As we pick out our special gifts and select that special card for dads we can remember the dedicated efforts of Mrs. Dodd who passed at the age of 96 as her tombstone says it best with its engraving... "Sonora Smart Dodd, Founder of Father's Day"
How will you spend your day honoring the special dad in your life? Here are a few ideas I've considered.
Cooking/Grilling: Breakfast in bed is always a way to anyone's heart. The kids especially like to be part of this mission where they can demonstrate their special skills and show dad how much he's really loved. Dads love barbecue, so if you have a grill, light it up!
Personal Memoir: Did dad teach you how to throw a ball, wield a tennis racket, kick a soccer ball or ride a bike? You can create a special memento that reflects and captures those special memories, by creating a special journal that may include photos of those special times as well.
Gift of Music: Do you have a music-loving dad who may have played an instrument or enjoys rocking out so hard to Nirvana, Pearl Jam or Bruno Mars? How about making him a playlist or mixed tape, of his favorite songs, and he'll for sure know you've paid attention and have been influenced by his musical prowess.
