Father's Day | June 21

The third Sunday of June is set aside for Father’s day. It started back in 1908, when the first Father’s day is believed to be held, in a church located in Fairmont, West Virginia. Mrs. Sonora Smart Dodd of Washington thought independently of the holiday one Sunday in 1909 while listening to a Mother’s Day sermon and arranged a tribute to her Father the following year on June 19, 1910. She was the first to solicit the idea of having an official Father’s day observance to honor all fathers. (See full article here)
What are some ideas for Father’s Day? I know this year, my children are teenagers now and no longer do they need Mommy and Daddy to go buy the gifts for the other. We have opened an account for each of our kids with our bank. With these accounts they get the debit/credit card which we can manage and put money on or if they have a job: babysitting, mowing lawns, etc… they can bring their check to us and with our bank, they have a deposit at home. So, we deposit their money into their account. It is teaching them responsibility on spending and having the freedom to go and buy something without us being around. For Mother’s Day, my husband was TDY and he went ahead and put some of their allowance on their cards. They went to the store on their own, one of them is driving now, and bought my gift and decorations. It was awesome to see them get so into the “holiday” and I didn’t have to do anything. For Father’s Day, I will be doing the same thing. It is their Father, so they will be going to the store or staying home and making something that express’ what their Daddy means to them.

Some sites for children to get ideas for their Daddy, in case they aren’t driving yet, and for those who are, can be found at:
•Kaboose
•Father’s Day
•The Holiday Spot
For the Father of my children, I would like to share a few photo’s that have meaning to me.

These pictures are when Art became a Father for the first time. This is our, not so little anymore, Erikka on the day of her birth, December 26, 1991:












This is one of my favorite pictures of Art and our son Nick when Art took him to see his first Nascar race in Indianapolis, IN for the Brickyard 400:









This is one of my favorites with our youngest, Debbie, sleeping on her Daddy.













As a daughter whose Father lives, soon to be right across the street, I would like to share a few photos of when we were younger. Much younger! My Dad was stationed at Ft. Rucker, AL when I was born. He then went through flight school and became a Pilot. Flying in Vietnam and all over. A founding Night Stalker with the 160th SOAR, I am now a Lady Night Stalker, singing at the events that my Dad was once part of and now my husband is part of. I was always a Daddy’s girl growing up and when my parents divorced, I was 10, it was pretty rough for me to not be around him anymore. We were at Ft. Campbell, KY and moved back to Ozark, AL where my Mother is from. Through the years, the tough teenage growing years, there were a lot of growing pains. Especially when divorce is involved. Trying to find out why and who was at fault for separating the family. As an adult and a Mother of my own children, I know that marriage is rough and it isn’t always greener on the other side. We all make our choices and my parents made theirs. Now so many years later, picking up where I once was at age 10, living in Werner Park on Hawaii St. in Ft. Campbell, I am now living in Clarksville, TN with my family, where my Dad never moved from. Living so close to my Dad, I have had the opportunity to heal hurts and get to know the man he is. He is now around his grandchildren and enjoying the time we all have together. Not taking one day for granted.

So, to my Dad, I want you to know that I love you and thank the Lord that He blessed me with you. All the trials, tears, joys and laughter have made me what I am today. And from what you are always telling me, you are very proud of the woman I have become. So, thank you, even thougth it was hard. I hope you have a wonderful Father’s Day and thank you for being my Daddy.