ComputerHunter.org

 

Fathers Day Origins and Inspiration


While mothers have had their special day since 1914, fathers have only recently officially received the recognition they so richly deserve. After all, dad is the pillar of the family unit, the one who made us feel safe, loved to tickle and tease, and above all gave us a sense of security. While mom was the pillow to fall on, dad was the rock who held us up. Here are some thoughts and facts on Father's Day, dedicated to every man out there who proudly wears the name DAD.

Origins

In 1909, listening to a sermon on Mother's Day, Mrs. Sonora Smart Dodd felt inspired by Anna Jarvis's efforts and felt there should also be a Father's Day. Her father, Civil War veteran William Jackson Smart, had as a single parent raised his six children in Spokane, Washington after his wife's death. She initially suggested June 5th, the anniversary of her father's death, however, she did not provide the organizers with enough time to make arrangements, and the celebration was deferred to the third Sunday in June. Unofficial support from such figures as William Jennings Bryan was immediate and widespread. Calvin Coolidge recommended it as a national holiday in 1924 but the all-male U.S. Congress was mindful that passing a measure so favorable to males could be seen as a conflict of interest. In 1926, The National Father's Day Committee met for the first time in New York City. Lyndon Johnson made Father's Day a holiday in 1966, but the holiday was not officially recognized until the presidency of Richard Nixon in 1972 when he signed into law a permanent U.S. Father's Day to be observed on the third Sunday of June.

Inspiring Words

When I was a boy of fourteen, my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to have the old man around. But when I got to be twenty-one, I was astonished at how much the old man had learned in seven years. - Mark Twain

I'm sure we all remember our teenage years and how true and insightful this statement by Mark Twain is. Here is another of my favorites:

It doesn't matter who my father was; it matters who I remember he was. - Anne Sexton

What is a dad? I'm sure not everyone would answer exactly the same way but this poem by an unknown author seems to sum it up very well.

What Makes A Dad? -Unknown

God took the strength of a mountain,
The majesty of a tree,
The warmth of a summer sun,
The calm of a quiet sea,
The generous soul of nature,
The comforting arm of night,
The wisdom of the ages,
The power of the eagle's flight,
The joy of a morning in spring,
The faith of a mustard seed,
The patience of eternity,
The depth of a family need,

Then God combined these qualities,
And then there was nothing more to add,
He knew His masterpiece was complete,
And so, He called it - Dad.

Perhaps the most important thing a father can give us is love. Hold on to your memories of youth. Those things that your father did that made you feel so special and loved. My favorite memory is of my father coming into my room one night when I was crying. He was so concerned even though to him, my problem must have seemed insignificant. By the time he left, I was happy, and the world was a brighter place. Many of us have these kinds of memories.

Excerpt from the song Dance With My Father
Artist: Luther Vandross

Back when I was a child, before life removed all the innocence
My father would lift me high and dance with my mother and me and then
Spin me around 'til I fell asleep
Then up the stairs he would carry me
And I knew for sure I was loved
If I could get another chance, another walk, another dance with him
I'd play a song that would never, ever end
How I'd love, love, love
To dance with my father again.

Be sure to let your father know how much he is loved and appreciated this Father's Day.

sources - wikipedia.org, Compton's Interactive Encyclopedia 1997

Patricia Fason is a writer and a poet. To see more of her work visit Sites O Web Romances You or for ideas on what to get your father this year for Father's Day, visit the Father's Day Section of the Gift Boutique.







Google News - Top Stories

Telegraph.co.uk

Obama vows to keep 'American promise alive'
Houston Chronicle - 1 hour ago
By JIM TANKERSLEY Chicago Tribune DENVER - Barack Obama accepted the Democratic presidential nomination on Thursday night with a scathing assessment of John McCain and a searing indictment of the Bush administration, promising to repair "the broken ...
The Speech: How Did He Do? Washington Post
Obama Soars With Feet Firmly On The Ground CBS News
USA Today - BBC News - Salon - Los Angeles Times
all 1,855 news articles


BBC News

US rejects 'false' Russia claim
BBC News - 1 hour ago
The US has dismissed as "patently false" accusations by Russia that it helped provoke the conflict in Georgia for domestic political reasons.
Putin Suggests US Provocation in Georgia Clash New York Times
Putin suggests US may have provoked Georgia conflict Los Angeles Times
euronews - The Associated Press - Voice of America - Reuters
all 630 news articles


Voice of America

3 Lawyers Won’t Testify About Mayor in Michigan
New York Times - 4 hours ago
By AP DETROIT (AP) - Three lawyers are refusing to testify at next week’s proceedings by Michigan’s governor that could lead to the ouster of Detroit’s mayor, Kwame M. Kilpatrick.
Kilpatrick: Gov won't give me fair shake DetNews.com
Trying to stop removal hearing, Detroit mayor sues The Associated Press
Washington Times - WXYZ
all 1,405 news articles


Boston Globe

Thailand's Samak Holds Off Removing Protesters Camped at Office
Bloomberg - 1 hour ago
By Rattaphol Onsanit and Daniel Ten Kate Aug. 29 (Bloomberg) -- Thailand's Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej held off forcing the removal of the 12000 demonstrators camped at his Bangkok office for a fourth day, as protests against his administration ...
Police clash with Thai protesters BBC News
Thai protesters, police scuffle at besieged compound AFP
Xinhua - The Associated Press - Reuters - The Standard
all 1,933 news articles


Washington Post

Millions in India, Nepal flee rising water
CNN International - 1 hour ago
BIHAR, India (CNN) -- Extreme flooding has displaced millions of people on either side of the India-Nepal border after a river burst its banks, authorities said Thursday.
Yamuna may be Kosi in making: Experts Times of India
Desperation prevails in Indian flood CNN
International Herald Tribune - Voice of America - New York Times - BBC News
all 455 news articles

Google
 

Copyright © 2006 Computer Hunter - A Division of Arthur´s Job Base