Celebrating Fathers Day Without Dad

Published: Sun, 06/17/18

A man doesn't need to be flawless to be a perfect father, but the commitment to his family is a sacred responsibility.

— Paul Young

My father was a quiet man. He didn’t talk much about his roots or growing up in 1920’s Jamaica. I got the impression it was a chapter in his life he wanted to forget. But when it came to me, mom and my brother, in his unassuming way, he was fiercely committed to his family. In Jamaica, he was a fisherman and loved the sea. Ten years after the Empire Windrush historic voyage my parents came to settle in the UK too and made a life here for thirty years.
It was a culture shock, but he adapted and made a home.
My Dad died over fifteen years ago, and I always wonder what other lessons he could have taught me through his example if he was still alive? I know the gifts he gave me without realizing it are plenty. Fathers Day was something that in his time wasn’t formally recognized as it is today. He was chuffed that there was a day that celebrated something that came naturally to him.

A good father will set a good example for you to follow

Why would you want to celebrate your father?
All fathers are not made equal, and my Dad was no paragon of virtue, but he was always there with a quiet strength. And I’m like my dad. I don't think he knew this, but my passion for speculative fiction came from him. The funny thing is he never encouraged me to read as I do with my kids, he just sat and read. Some of the books I can remember that had pride of place on his cabinet was the Bible, a huge dictionary, an encyclopedia of Greek and Roman mythology, Meditations by Marcus Aurelius and an old medical reference book.

I copied what he did and read.
My Dad had a passion for technology.
So do I.
He loved sci-fi and horror films, collecting them for his Super 8 projector.
I share that same passion.
He was a snazzy dresser.
And I’m not bad myself.
When I think about it. I’m a celebration of my Dad. I was able to break through barriers he never could and stake a claim in this new world. I’m sure he’d be proud. I can’t thank him personally or ask for his forgiveness for not realizing how important he was in forging the man I am today. What I can do is continue to think big and make a difference in my small arena. And when my peers or my supporters recognize my work, I will tell them I couldn’t have done it without Evelyn Leopold Hewitt, my Dad.

Hope this Helps

I've always enjoyed Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hanson's Chicken Soup for the Soul series and this is just another set of inspirational stories that can make your Fathers day special.

Enjoy.