By The TimesLedger
Each June I get deprived big-time. Why? Because Father’s Day falls on the third Sunday of the month, and my birthday on the 18th, both dates usually coinciding. This means, instead of being honored twice and on the receiving end of two separate celebrations, I callously receive one lumped kudo, do you hear me, just one. Is that fair?
Father’s Day is a holiday on which the family takes time to remember the forgotten man! And I am forgotten on my birthday, also.
My parents worked very hard conceiving me so I would have a birthday in June. And I worked very hard at becoming a father. So why in heaven’s name should both monumental occasions be discounted 50 percent by my loving kin — my own flesh and blood?
I wanted to have breakfast in bed on Father’s Day, and my birthday, so Gloria put a cot in the kitchen!
Father’s Day certainly deserves to be celebrated separately, but shouldn’t one’s birthday deserve the same honor? I can’t help it that my birthday falls in June. But to show there are no hard feelings, let me describe how Father’s Day began. During the country’s infancy, in the 17th and 18th centuries, fathers were very important. They took on the primary responsibility for child care beyond the early nursing period. Fathers not only directed their children’s education and religious worship, but also often played with them. They decided what children would eat and hushed them to sleep when they awakened at night.
It is hard for a 5-foot-6 father to explain to his 6-foot-1 son why junk food is bad!
Historically, the development of modern American Father’s Day, honoring fathers, living and dead, came into being during the same period that gave rise to Mother’s Day. Its general acceptance however, was a bit slower in coming. This figures, since dads in today’s culture tend to be viewed by many as slightly absurd figures. Consider the condescending role given to fathers in the comics (Dagwood and Fred Flintstone) and on TV (“Everybody Loves Raymond”). They are portrayed as not-too-bright man-children. Not very good models for their children to emulate.
I figured out why they call our language the mother tongue. Fathers never get a chance to use it!
Several advocates for a national Father’s Day, without knowledge of each other, were instrumental in bringing about the institution of the holiday. On July 5, 1908, Mrs. Charles Clayton and Dr. Robert Webb of West Virginia collaborated and held the first ceremony honoring fathers.
Father’s Day and Mother’s Day are alike, except on Father’s Day you buy a much cheaper gift, and for me, that includes my birthday!
But, historians note, the most enthusiastic promoter of Father’s Day was Sonora Dodd of Spokane, Wash. Her father, a widower, had raised her and her five brothers after the death of Sonora’s mother. Sonora longed to honor him and, as she watched the popularity of Mother’s Day grow, worked to stoke similar sentiments for Father’s Day. Dodd’s crusade began to catch on in the early 1900s. Through Dodd’s efforts, Spokane celebrated the first Father’s Day in June 1910 and Washington became the first state to recognize the day. Only recently was Father’s Day established permanently. In 1972, former President Richard Nixon signed the congressional resolution designating the third Sunday in June as the national holiday. Why couldn’t poor Richard have chosen a day in November, instead?
A father is a fellow who has photos where his money used to be!
And so, I expect this year not to be any different from last year and the year before, and the years before that — a Father’s Day-birthday combo. Yech! But, I finally outsmarted everybody. I decided to send (via special delivery) a beautiful birthday card to myself. It reads: “Herzlichen Gluckwunsch Zum Geburtstag;” “Hartelijk Gefeliciteerd;” “Joyeux Aniversaire;” “I Nostri Piu Sentiti Auguri Di Buon Compleanno;” “Feliz Cumpleanos” and “Many Happy Returns.” It brought tears to my eyes. Thank you, Me, you remembered, but you forgot the birthday cake.
Most fathers have several mouths to feed — and listen to!
Regardless of my plight, let me honor all dads by asking them to rise and take a bow. Guys, be proud of yourselves and enjoy your day. And to the fathers out there who, like me, have a birthday in June, I wish a separate Father’s Day celebration, and, on another day, a separate birthday celebration. You deserve no less. Only, fellas, please wish the same for me.
Reach Alex Berger by e-mail at timesledger@aol.com or call 229-0300, ext. 140.
