This Father’s Day, you may be among the millions of Americans who face the bittersweet reality of celebrating a father who is no longer alive. Holidays of this sort are especially poignant the first year after a death.
Whether your father was a protector, a fun buddy, or a stern authority, his passing has had an impact on you. The thought of Father’s Day may prompt an upwelling of grief or deepening gratitude. Or it might stir regret: there may be things you wish you had done together or had said.
This Father’s Day, consider these options for acknowledging the man you called “Dad”:
- Cook a meal in his honor. What were your dad’s favorite foods? Create a meal and invite guests to offer a toast to your father.
- Plant a tree or sponsor a bench in his name. Returning to this spot each year can be a great way to acknowledge the place he had in your life and heart.
- Get a Father’s Day card and write what you would like to have said to him. Or write it on a biodegradable helium balloon that you can release to the sky.
- Go over old photographs, especially with the next generation, and share stories and special memories.
- Visit his gravesite. Bring flowers. Perhaps read a poem or tell a story. You might record your visit to share on social media or with other loved ones.
- Take a father figure to lunch. Is there someone else in your life you look up to as a role model? Take him to lunch and rekindle that relationship.
- Honor a lonely father. Many older men are isolated. Contact a nursing home, senior center, or church to ask if you can visit and brighten the life of another dad.
- Ask yourself, “What would Dad do?” and go do it, with gladness.
Has the loss of a father left you struggling?
In addition to feeling grief, you may also now be called upon to care for your mother, a role you may not have expected or feel ready for. As the Roanoke and Lynchburg experts in family caregiving, we at Gentle Shepherd Hospice have seen how the passing of a parent affects the widow and their adult children in many ways. We are here to help support you and your loved one as they age, including assessing their needs and making recommendations for care. Give us a call at 1-800-789-0586 (toll-free) to learn more.