Saturday, June 20, 2015

Saturday Spotlight: Father's Day (without kids - already?)

Saturday Spotlight #24
How did this already happen?

We'll celebrate Father's Day this year without our kids.

Father's Day is tomorrow and for the first time since they were born, neither of my kids will be with their dad and I. My son is halfway through his month-long backpacking trip in Wyoming, and my daughter will be back in Seattle after a brief three-day visit to Montana.

I feel like I have joined a club - one to which I'm not sure I am ready to belong.  My mom and my mother-in-law are already “members,” and this has always made me feel both grateful and a little guilty.  

The club to which I am referring is the "Wives Who Try to Make Father's Day Special, Because Their Children Are Not Home club." 


Family photo
My parents and I, when I visited them earlier this month. My mom will make sure that tomorrow is extra-special for my dad.


Of course I have never forgotten about my dad or father-in-law on Father's Day.  Cards and gifts have been mailed over the years, and my husband and I have always made a phone call to our dads. Last year on Father's Day I told you a little bit about them both in a blog post


Dad, twin babies
My Dad with my twin sister and I
Even before we met each other, my husband and I have always lived quite far away from our parents. Except for the occasional times we have managed to be with them, we typically cannot be there to ensure the entire day is fun for our dads. Therefore, it has always comforted me to know that our moms (and sometimes siblings) were helping our dads enjoy their Father's Days.  

Both my kids realized that they would be away on Father's Day, and asked me to make sure it was a good day for their dad.  Of course, I also think he deserves for it to be a special day, and I am more than willing to put forth some effort to make sure that is the case!


hiking, Father's day, Montana
My husband and our kids, Father's Day, 2013

I'm just finding it hard to believe that enough Father's Days have gone by since we became parents, for my children to suddenly be so grown up and independent and away. It seems like just a few years ago that I was helping them decorate ties and socks as presents for their dad.

It has all happened way too fast!

Do you have anything special planned for Father's Day?

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16 comments :

  1. It's funny how these years work out when our kids are older. When my boys were in high school and I'd have expected them to be here, often one or both would be working on Father's Day. This year, they're college kids and it just so happens their work schedules allow them both to be home. I'm going to savor it, who knows what will happen next year.
    Happy Father's Day to your family.

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    1. I'm glad you could all be together this year Karen. I hope it was a wonderful day for all of you as well.

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  2. I am sure you will be able to make it a special day for him - after all, he wouldn't be a father without your assistance.

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  3. It's funny...we always made a big fuss over fathers day for our folks but now they are gone and no one seems to remember fathers day or mothers day.

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    1. You point out yet another step in the life cycle Delores - one I hope I don't experience yet for quite a while.

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  4. Isn't it strange when things change? My kids are all home, but but one of my teens has to work, so that will be a little different this year. My husband says all he really wants is a nap, so he may be fine with it! ;)

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    1. Time for a nap seems like a pretty easy request to fill! Hope he got one!

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  5. Fathers Day isn't until September in Australia - I had no kids home for Mothers Day so made up for it a few weeks later by going to them (they can run but they cannot hide!) and Fathers Day will probably be the same. It bothered me at first but I remembered that I didn't always get around to seeing my parents on the day so I guess it is just how life works when you don't live close by. I'm sure you'll make his day special :)

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    1. True Leanne - and it has been many years since I have visited my parents on Mothers/Fathers days. I should have remembered that Father's Day would be different in different countries ... I knew that about Mother's day - but just didn't think about it as I was writing this post!

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  6. I am in the same boat at our house this year and my husband even had to work today! This is his busiest time of year and usually has to work 7 days a week this time of year. This year I have one of his favorite meals planned for latter tonight and I'm sure he will want to do nothing more exciting than to get some rest.

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    1. My husband had to work today as well Rena - and I spent all day cleaning! We have an issue with our well that has to be fixed - so our water will be completely shut off tomorrow, for several days or possibly a week!! The house is now clean, the tubs and sinks are filled with water and the garden has been well watered. But - sadly - the special dinner I had planned did not get made. We did go for a hike though.

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  7. I hope you had a good Father's Day Susan - I'm sure you made it very nice for your husband!

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    1. Thanks Lana - as I said in Rena's comment - not so much! It was mostly just a day of work for us both - but the hike was nice. I will make the dinner I planned once our well is operating again!

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  8. For the first time, ever, we are childless and grandchildless for Father's day. But not for long. Our DIL invited us over for food, fun and visiting. It was a very near thing . . .

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    1. So glad you got the invite from your DIL. I was thinking of you this Father's Day, Diane and hoping you found comfort in the many memories you have of your dad.

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