My most recent devotions on this website have dealt with some fairly heavy topics related to what has been happening in the streets of our country and across the world.  Today I am going to move to something lighter, albeit still a serious topic.  About 20 years ago, June 15, 2003 to be exact, the Sunday Peanuts cartoon featured Lucy, Violet and Sally in a conversation about gift giving for holidays.

          These had included Valentines for mom, a Groundhog’ day present for Grandpa, a flower for mom on the first day of Spring and “something real nice (for mom) on Mother’s Day.”   Lucy then poses the question: “What about today?  What did you give your father today?”  To which Violet responds in horror “Today?  Good Grief I forgot about today!”  And then “Oh well, my dad won’t say anything.  He might sigh, but he won’t say anything.” 

          In the final panel Sally remarks, “That’s what’s good about Father’s Day…you don’t have to remember it.”

          That’s not true, of course, but it did take about six decades longer for Father’s Day to become official after Mother’s Day had been proclaimed by the president.  But just in case you did forget, Sunday is Father’s Day!

According to a new survey, 32% of dads say their kids have completely FORGOTTEN about Father’s Day at least once.  And even when we DO remember to get Dad something there’s a good chance it’s a gift that defies appreciation.

          Fifty seven percent of dads say they’ve gotten a gift for Father’s Day that they hated.  Fifty three percent have either returned a gift or WANTED to return one.

 Apparently we don’t even bother trying to be creative, because more than 50% of dads responding to this survey have gotten the same TYPE of gift more than once . . . including one guy who said he got a coffee mug four years in a row.

A few more lame presents that dads said they’ve gotten include “a painted rock” . . . an adult child announcing they were moving back in . . . and a Santa Claus tie.  Now that’s a lame gift in December, let alone the middle of JUNE.

          When we had our virtual staff meeting on Tuesday, I asked my colleagues to share with me a favorite memory of their own father and also if they called him anything other than Dad. One of my adult children calls me “Pops” and I look forward to that opening of a phone call or face-to-face conversation.   

In the spirit of what Sally in Peanuts calls the most forgettable holiday, only three of the nine replied to my request.  I will share their answers anonymously so that you will never know who did and who didn’t respond.

          One said, “He was the strong and tender calm in the storm.”  And added “I called him Daddy.”   The second response “My favorite quote from my dad is: ‘It is your attitude, not your aptitude, that determines your altitude.’”  That person then added, “His favorite movie, even to this day is Toy Story and so I imagine him dressed as Buzz Lightyear Defender of the Universe with all of his optimistic hope; rooting and cheering us kids, proudly declaring, ‘To infinity and beyond.’”  A third replied, simply:  “Dad is hardworking and always there for us.” 

          Since this is to be a devotion, let me bring it around to something more devotional.  As one who never got to know his father after the first almost seven years of my life let me suggest a little exercise if you still have your father with you. 

Sit down with a video or cell phone camera or at least digital recorder and ask him some questions about his growing up years: Did you have a dog?  If so, what was the dog’s name?  Tell me about your best birthday.  Do you remember your first television set?  How did you meet mom?  Do you remember when I was born?   Did you serve in the armed forces?  What was your first job?  Who was your best friend in school?  What did you do on Halloween?  Did you ever go to a circus?  What was your favorite breakfast?  What was your first car? Then make copies for your siblings and share it with them.

          If your own father is no longer living, sit down, record the answers as self-responses and then put away a copy for each of your children.  Some day they will bless you for it.  This would also be a good idea for your mother and for mom’s who might read this.  Don’t wait until next May 9!