Happy Father’s Day!

fathersday_rhospiritualguideThe first Father’s Day was held on July 5, 1908 in Fairmont, West Virginia. It was started by a woman named Grace Golden Clayton.

After seeing the success of Anna Jarvis’ crusade for honouring her dead mother by establishing Mother’s Day, Grace did the same by commencing a day to honour her dead father. Grace’s father was killed in a mining accident where 361 men, of which 250 were fathers, were also killed. She had suggested to her pastor to have a day to honour all the fathers that had died. However, this event was forgotten over time.

A second attempt to start Father’s Day celebration was commenced on June 19, 1910. The woman behind this was Sonora Dodd whose father was a civil war veteran and raised 6 children on his own. Several sermons were held to honour fathers on that day. Unfortunately, by 1920 it to fell into obscurity.

Father’s Day as we know it was finally proclaimed by Lyndon B. Johnson in 1966 to occur every 3rd Sunday. In 1972 Richard Nixon signed Father’s Day to be a permanent holiday, as well as International Men’s Day on November 19 to honour men and boys who are not fathers.

What a history!

We don’t always think of our fathers – why? Most are gone to work before we even get up. They come home later than any of us do or they have jobs that take them away from home. However it is important to recognize that even though father is not around he is still there and a part of the home.

Dads are considered to provide logic and order. Males symbols in dreams signify business or money as they are providers. The term “wait until your father gets home” would be seen as the one to provide direction once order is has become lost.

Men that we may feel inspired by have the qualities of a “King”. He would have to be honest, express calmness, thoughtfulness, commitment, intuition and direct communication. These are just some qualities. Think of other qualities you would expect from your father figure or qualities you love about the “father figure” in your life.

Take time to celebrate your “father” in the way you think best, in terms of how he would and you would enjoy the celebration, which should be considered a celebration of expression gifting.

Happy Father’s Day to all fathers!