Father’s Day has been doubly poignant for me ever since my son was born. My dad died unexpectedly in October of 1986, and so for ten years I didn’t celebrate a Father’s Day. Then when my boy came along, all of sudden I was the guy people bought gifts for. I was the honoree.
I never celebrated a Father’s Day with my dad as a dad. I’m not alone of course. I really don’t think about it much, until (I guess), the day comes along. I caught my TSD business partner Charles Epstein on the phone the other day. I could tell he was someplace public. I heard the crowd. He said “I’m out looking for something for Father’s Day.” I thought for a second, ‘wow, that’s pretty nice, getting a present for yourself.’ Then I realized he was getting a gift for his dad. Something I haven’t done for 22 years.
My dad had a favorite saying whenever I’d ask him how I could possibly pay him back for all the special things he’d done for me – my first ball game – my first trip overseas – paying for my education. He said, “Just do the same thing for your child someday.”
And so once a year it all comes full circle. I’m the dad. And it’s a pretty wonderful feeling. Though, I’ll admit, just once I’d like to have that feeling again, of what it’s like to be Dad’s son.
Tags: Father's Day