I have never been much of a fan of Father’s Day, Mother’s Day or Easter, mainly because of how commercial they all are. I still participate but they’re not really my thing.
I will say that I do get the spiritual side of Easter and enjoy that, as well as watching kids gets excited over the bunny. But the whole three of them are way too over-commercialised. That’s not to say I don’t hold mums in high regard. I also don’t mind copping a pair of socks, undies or a bottle of rum or bourbon on Father’s Day.
I have changed my view a little of late, with Father’s Day just gone. I had a bit of an epiphany moment while down the beach with George, my kelpie-cross and resident therapist, on the morning of Father’s Day.
I was talking and he was listening (well, I always hope he is) and I was thinking about what the day really means: not socks and undies, not the grog, not that blanket advertising, but what it actually means.
This is what we came up with, George and his patient – a gift to whoever has a father or mother alive. I realised that my dad Len, who passed away at 66 when I was 26, was a hard-working, honest, quiet, no-nonsense parent who provided for us above and beyond what we could afford.
To this day, I don’t know how he did it. He never owed anyone, bank included, and we basically had everything we needed and a whole lot of fun along the way. But I’m not sure he had everything he needed or deserved.
The thing is, I could never have an intimate conversation with him – and the really sad part is, I can’t remember the last conversation we had as his passing was sudden. He wasn’t the type of bloke to have intimate conversations. He was the type of parent who would tell me after a game of footy, only if asked, what I did wrong – not what I did right. Of course, as I got older, I could have been a whole lot more grateful for what he had done for me, but I did not – which I regret. Funnily enough, it probably would have made him uncomfortable.
So, our gift to you is to talk to your parents if you are lucky enough to still have them and talk to your kids. Make sure you make the moments that you will all remember. That is way better that socks, undies and even grog. Happy Parents’ Day from Ashley and George xx
