My Awkward Relationship With Father’s Day
Of all the holidays, Father’s Day is the one I’m least comfortable with.
The three most dangerous days in a married man’s life: His anniversary, his wife’s birthday and Valentines Day. He cannot exceed expectations. His only options are meet or fail to meet expectations.
– Some random guy on the internet
The three most dangerous holidays make me nervous, of course. I think in my years of marriage I managed to exceed expectations just once. But, that doesn’t mean I don’t continue to try on those days.
But, Fathers Day actually makes me slightly uncomfortable. I have a great relationship with my kids. And this year, like most years, they spoiled me on Fathers Day. I had family, kids and grandkids around all weekend. Kids who weren’t close called or sent text messages. My missionary son in Indianapolis did a video call. It was wonderful.
But, I was really happy when it was over.
Growing up Fathers Day was hard. Part of the reason was just the simple fact that I had multiple father-figures in my life. My parents divorced when I was very young. I maintained a relationship with my birth father until I was 16. During that time, my mother remarried several times.
When I was eleven my mother married the person I consider my father, Lloyd Bliss. He adopted me when I was 16.
Do you know what happens when you have that kind of chaotic childhood? You end up with conflicted views about father-figures. Added on top of that, my father, Lloyd, was not a man comfortable with celebrations or any kind of displays of affection. He did not like Fathers Day.
So, my memories of Fathers Day are cloudy at best. My current Fathers Day celebrations are good.
Like I said, it’s an awkward relationship. Hope yours was positive.
Stay safe
Rodney M Bliss is an author, columnist and IT Consultant. His blog updates every weekday. He lives in Pleasant Grove, UT with his lovely wife, thirteen children and grandchildren.
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