It’s hard to believe that it’s already June! We are almost halfway through 2021. With June comes lots of familiar things – rising temps and the lovely Minnesota humidity that comes with those temps. Yard work…oh, the yard work. Bike rides, boating and cookouts. Weekends at the lake. And of course, the day that we get to celebrate the men in our life who have made such an impact, Father’s Day.
Last month I wrote about Mother’s Day and how we might focus on celebrating those women in our life, not just for one day, but for the whole month. The same is true this month, but, now, it’s those men (your Dad, Grandpa, Step Dad – whoever those men in your life might be) that get to soak in the limelight for the month. June is the month that we get to celebrate that man (or men) who somehow, over the course of our life, magically turned into a friend, a role model, a mentor…a superhero.
As I started to think about what to write for this article, my mind drifted back to the many amazing moments I was able to spend with my Dad. So many awesome memories flooded my mind. Playing catch in the back yard literally every time he was grilling. Heading to the lake to go fishing in our little 14-foot Lund fishing boat. Sitting in the living room watching the Twins or Vikings and remembering him just shaking his head and rolling his eyes at the mishaps by our hometown teams. Heading to the golf course – only to get frustrated with my game as I watched Dad drive the ball straight down the fairway on each hole. Going into Brown Printing to hang out in his office and being amazed at how much he knew about all of the massive printing machines.
It’s no secret that society tells us that we are “supposed” to go out to find the perfect gift for that special someone on their day. But, when I was reminiscing about my Dad and Father’s Day, I honestly couldn’t remember anything that I had ever purchased for him. I’m sure there was the proverbial polo shirt that I got him from time to time, maybe some new golf balls, tools maybe? I don’t know. What I do know is that my memories of my Dad on Father’s Day immediately went to the experiences and the moments that we shared together. I really had no recollection of the “things”. And, to be honest, I’m ok with that, and I think he would be too. Those polo shirts, they get old and worn and need to go to Goodwill at some point. Those golf balls will inevitably get lost in the woods or water hazards. Those tools, they are left to sit in the dark garage only to be used from time to time over the course of the year. But the experiences…the moments. Those are the things that will stay with us forever and those are the things for which I am eternally grateful.
Over the past few years, I have realized how truly grateful I am for time. Time is a limited resource for all of us. With time comes the opportunity to engage in real and meaningful experiences and to create those moments that will be with us forever. Time has nothing to do with material “things,” but everything to do with providing us the opportunity to cultivate experiences and memories. So, on this Father’s Day (or any day for that matter), make use of the time you have to spend with that superhero who also happens to be your Dad. If you must, get him the polo shirt or the golf balls, but in addition to that, just “be” with him. Create your own experience, you own moments. I have no doubt that is what you will both remember from the experience – just “being”. And I also have no doubt that you’ll both look back on that experience and those memories with a true and genuine sense of gratitude.
Happy Father’s Day!