"I see the future stretch
All dark and barren as a rainy sea."
-From Alexander Smith's "Life Drama."
"One father is more than a hundred schoolmasters."
- English Proverb
"Children's children are the crown of old men;
and the glory of children are their fathers."
- Proverbs 17:6
"Blessed indeed is the man who hears many gentle voices call him father!" - Lydia M. Child
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Dear Pop:
I miss you. These many long and empty years since your death, I have sought out memories of long ago. You died too young at 63. A terrible shame. You died too young for me, at 21. It took much to bear up under the weight of such a loss. Never to see or hear you again. Never! Never to laugh and joke with you again.
Death claimed you too soon. I became bitter about this. Insensed and miserable. Time doesn't heal all wounds. I still bleed. It's so true. Time festers all wounds and what thoughts are left leaves us to think of what could have been.
Mom has been a faithful widow now for the past thirty-two years. She said you were the only man in her life! She meant it. She remains loyal to your memory, never dated, never remarried. A rare woman indeed. You were truly the only man in her life.
The few years we were together I recall fondly. These are pleasant memories. Strong, unshaken. I will cherish them forever. When we went to baseball and hockey games, to the countless movies, on picnics, to Long Beach. The days you taught me to box and play poker. A thousand other things we did together.
Maybe we will meet again some day. Maybe people are lost from each other forever. I don't know. But you will always be special, always hold a place in my heart and mind. You will always be there as you once was before.
With affection and love,
Your son
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Author's note: My dad died of cancer at age 63 in 1971.
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A Chronological History of Father's Day
1910 Sonora Smart Dodd of Spokane, Washington, organizes a Father's Day celebration on June 19th. Dodd's father, a farmer and Civil War veteran had been a single father to six young children after his wife died in 1909. To Sonora, her father was a courageous, selfless, and loving man. he was born in June, so she chose to hold the first Father's Day celebration that month to pay tribute to him and all fathers.
1924 President Calvin Cooledge supports plans for nationalizing Father's Day.
1926 A National Father's Day Committee meets for the first time in New York City.
1956 Father's Day was recognized by a joint Resolution of Congress.
1966 President Lyndon B. Johnson proclaims Father's Day a national holiday.
1972 President Richard M. Nixon established a permanent national observance of the day to be held on the third Sunday of June.
So Father's Day was born in memory and gratitude of a thankful daughter, and who said that all good fathers should be honored and have a special day like our mothers.
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What a beautiful eulogy to commemorate a beloved father. We to are fathers, I hope we have earned such respect from our children. When you think he is far away from you try this. When you're writing a poem and stuck for a word, say to yourself, dad, what do think would fit here, you may be surprised with an old memory you haven't thought of for years. In your e-mail, you mentioned, you love the Middle Ages. My poem Death Knell takes place in 12th-century Scotland. Your tribute to your dad earns a well-deserved. Five stars
I'm sorry about the death, cancer claims many.
Your father seems like a very pleasent and caring man, your mother seems very loyal.
You were blessed with wonderful parents.
The history of Father's Day was very interesting to read, Happy Father's Day to you, too!
Dear Gregory! You touched me so much. I was crying when I was reading your story. Just crying... You are fine son of a wonderful father. I will tell you more when I can. - Irina.
Nice history of Fathers Day. I sorry about your dad, but no one lives forever, it doesn't really matter though if you live until 20 or 101, as long as you get the best out of life, and it sounds like your dad really did. :)
Welcome !
