Storytime Tapestry Newsletter

The newsletter devoted to spreading love and cultural awareness throughout the world.

Special Treat – By Hartson Dowd

June 20, 2006

The third Sunday in June is a day to honour the “King” of the household---Father’s Day.

            Mrs. John B. Dodd of Washington was the first to propose the idea of “Father’s Day” in 1910.  Sonora Smart Dodd’s father, William Smart, a Civil War veteran was widowed when his wife (Sonora’s mother) died while giving birth to their sixth child.  Mr Smart was left to raise the baby and the other five children by himself on a rural farm in eastern Washington State.  It was only after she became an adult that Mrs Dodd realized the strength of character her father had shown raising six children as a single parent.

            Father’s Day was first observed in Spokane, Washington on June 19, 1910.  In 1924, President Calvin Coolidge supported the idea of a national Father’s Day.  Finally, in 1966, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed a presidential proclamation declaring the third Sunday in June each June.

            Here in Canada, we have followed the American lead and also celebrate the day on the third Sunday each June.

            “Home is the place where character is built, where sacrifices to contribute to the happiness of others are made, and where love has taken up its abode.”  Thank you to all fathers today who contribute to loving homes.

TRADITIONS: 

·                          The official Flower of Father’s Day: Rose – wear red for a living father and white for a deceased father.

·                          The very creative tie as a gift.

·                          A cookout usually, prepared by Dad himself.

·                          Tell your Dad how much you love him

·                          Give him a great big hug.

“Life doesn’t come with an instruction book—that’s why we have fathers.”

“The greatest gift a father can give to his children is himself.”

“A Godly father reflects the love of the Heavenly Father.”

“Good fathers not only tell us how to live---they show us.”

An anonymous item relating to Fathers we can all relate to:

4 years:   My Daddy can do anything!

7 years:   My Dad knows a lot…a whole lot.

8 years:   My father does not know quite everything.

12 years: Oh well, naturally Father does not know that either.

15 years:  Oh Father?  He’s hopelessly old-fashioned.

21 years: Oh! The man-he is out of date.

30 years: I must find out what Dad thinks about it.

35 years: Before we decide, we will get Dad’s thoughts on the matter.

50 years: What would Dad have thought about that?

60 years: My Dad knew literally everything!

65 years: I wish I could talk it over with Dad once more.

70 years: Oh how I wish I had my Dad’s wisdom!

Hartson Dowd

hsdowd@telus.net