My father and I. Hualien, Taiwan, 1977 |
Remember those precious moments you shared with your dad when you were little––sitting in his lap for a story; learning to ride a bike with his help; talking with him about friends; discussing the gospel with him; praying together; receiving a Father’s blessing from him; and that pride in his misty eyes when he looked at you at your graduation?
It’s festive to celebrate a holiday dedicated to someone special like dad, but not if you don’t have that someone special in life to celebrate. I have a very different reason not to celebrate Father’s Day with my dad––he disowned me years ago when I chose to serve a mission. I know that Father’s Day should also be dedicated to women who raise their children as single mothers––women who play the roles of both parents––I can only imagine how difficult that must be.
For people like myself and those who don’t have fathers around, Father’s Day is a day to remember that we have a precise and loving Heavenly Father who knows our needs and is always ready to bless us. “Even His children in the telestial kingdom receive ‘the glory of the telestial, which surpasses all understanding’ (D&C 76:89); He is an exceedingly generous God!” (Neal A. Maxwell. October 14,1996.) We have reasons to rejoice and be thankful that our Father in Heaven desires the best for us. He wants us to be happy, and looks forward to the day when we return to His presence with glory.
Be it the third Sunday in June or August 8, Father’s Day is a time we express appreciation and gratitude to the men who have fathered us–-both here on earth and in Heaven.
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Allison is a mother to three teenage boys. She is currently working on her memoir. Visit her at: Allison Merrill.