Hello family. While I have been adhering to a two post per week schedule, this week, I feel compelled to provide you with a bonus. Enjoy.
A little more than a month ago, I sat back and watched as the country spiraled into a capitalistic frenzy. No, not because of the recent high gas prices. Nor was it due to the economic effects of rising unemployment rates. And contrary to popular belief, it wasn’t even caused by the many of you that received your portion of the government’s tax stimilus checks. However, this retail extravaganza that recently occurred was merely the result of a holiday that has gained an overwhelming amount of worldwide commercial attention. This national mad dash to the nation’s many retail outlets was simply the result of Mother’s Day, as sons, daughters, sisters and brothers, nationwide, scrambled to creatively demonstrate their love for their ‘Mama’. Restaurants, everywhere, struggled to seat patrons as they dealt with unusual one and a half hour wait times. Florists nationwide recognized exciting profit margins as they increased their prices to match the rising floral demand. Card stands, everywhere, were raided as customers rushed to get those last minute greeting cards that expressed their heartfelt feelings for their mother. And as I stood, today, in the aisles of the local drugstore, searching for a card to give myself on the upcoming holiday, I couldn’t help but wonder of the whereabouts of the same crowds that existed barely a month ago. The seemingly untouched inventory of greeting cards that existed for the nation’s fathers, left me to marvel at the lack of excitement for our society’s patriarchs. Where is the excitement for Father’s Day? Are we not important? Do we not deserve recognition?
Ok. It’s true. The rise in broken homes, as well as many accounts of uninvolved fathers, can be argued to be an attributing factor to the nation’s dissipating interest and lack of respect for such a holiday. However, that still does not excuse the lack of appreciation that has seemed to be in existence for decades for the individuals that are charged with providing for families, and children, that insist on giving them a mere fraction of the overall gratitude.
In today’s society, we see countless examples of the negative perceptions of fathers. From disapproving labels, such as ‘Dead Beat Dad’ to the melodic tunes of unfortunate songs such as “Papa Was A Rolling Stone,” our society endorses such negativity towards its male parents.
Unfortunately, such disapproval has since been promulgated to the ways that we show our appreciation, or lack thereof, to such figures in our life. I admit. As a child, teenager, and for most of my young adult life, I was also guilty of such disdain for my father. That is, until I became one.
Think long and hard. What was the best gift that you have ever given your father for Father’s Day? Was it an ugly tie that you put very little thought into? Or, could have been a stinky green bottle of Brut Faberge cologne that you quickly snatched up from your local Walgreens drugstore? Or better yet, was it a shirt that you intended to get for him, but decided to keep for yourself? Mine was the latter. Yes. That’s right. The BEST gift that I have ever gotten my father was a shirt that I decided to keep for myself. And until recently, “his” shirt was still a popular item in my closet. How sad.
When discussing the topic of Father’s Day gifts and the lack of appreciation of America’s fathers, comedian Chris Rock once said that “…in his house, all his father got was the big piece of chicken [at dinner]. And sometimes, someone else would have the audacity to eat the big piece of chicken.”
I encourage you all. Give your father more than the big piece of chicken. Give him “his” shirt. Being a father is hard work. We are encouraged to be strong when we are weak. We are taught to laugh when we want to cry. And, we are oftentimes discounted as we struggle to prove our worth and value. Yes, there are some bad ones out there. But not all of us are so. Take time to truly appreciate your father. Regardless of your approval for him. Being a father is hard work. Love him and for once, treat him like the king he is. Again, I say, give him more than the big piece of chicken. HAPPY FATHER’S DAY!
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