Father’s Day conjures up images of shopping for dad to add to an ever-increasing collection of argyle socks and ties that he may never wear. Even though Father’s Day has become quite commercialised, it means more than just giving a card or a gift to dad.

It is a time for the family to show their appreciation for their father – not just for bringing home the paycheck but for the boo-boos he kisses, the nappies he changes, the baths he gives and the dinners that he cooks. We can show him how much he has selflessly given of himself by dedicating a day just to him.

It is also a time for dad to appreciate how much his family means to him. A time to reflect on the finger paintings and crayon pictures he receives, the dinners he comes home to and the hours traipsing around shopping malls in search of just the right toy for the children to play with.

As a young girl, I remember the excitement felt whenever I had the chance to spend time with my father on the farm. Whilst he was probably not doing anything more than just going about his regular duties, being with him was what mattered most to me. I can remember my father whistling commands to the dogs as they corralled the sheep into the pens. I held tightly onto his rough and calloused hands as we crossed the paddock to close the gate behind the last of the sheep.

I watched with wide-eyed fascination as my dad wrestled sheep after sheep to get them into just the right position for shearing. I remember the sweat pouring down his forehead as he worked tirelessly shearing one sheep after another pausing occasionally to have a drink of water and give me a smile.

Later we would go back to the house in our old battered ute. I rode in the front, feeling like a princess, with my dad next to me and the dogs barking in the back.

My father’s memory of the same day may be quite different. But no matter which version you listen to, it all comes down to one thing:

“It doesn’t matter who my father was; it matters who I remember he was.”   Anne Sexton.

Thank you to Michelle Sweeney for this article. Originally from Australia, Michelle writes text and articles for blogs, among other various administrative services via her VA business based in Canada. Please visit: http://penmanship.weebly.com/sample-articles.html for further samples of her work.

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