Adam Hamilton tells a story about a camping trip he took with his two young daughters on his birthday.
He explained to his two daughters that each could have 20 dollars to spend during the three days they camped there. The girls were so excited that they practically dragged their dad to the camp’s gift shop.
Rebecca, his daughter, who often thought with her heart, spotted a Brewers baseball cap. She immediately tried it on.
“What do you think, Dad?” she asked.
Her dad, who was a Cubs fan, replied sternly, “You look pretty in it, Honey, but that hat costs 20 dollars! If you buy it, you won’t have money left to spend the next two and a half days!”
“But Dad,” Rebecca protested, “All I want is this hat and I really don’t care if I don’t have any more money to spend!”
That evening they sat by the lake and watched the sun set like a beautiful orange-red host into the chalice of the lake.
Rebecca hugged her dad and said, “Here is my birthday gift to you!” Then she put the hat on his head. “Happy birthday, Dad. I love you!”
Dad hugged Rebecca. Their tears mingled.
The cap quickly became one of his most treasured possessions. He is now a Brewers fan. Whenever he wears it, he thinks of Rebecca’s sacrificial love.
Father’s Day was started by Sonora Smart Dodd, who loved her father, William Smart, a Civil War veteran just as much as Rebecca loved her dad.
With Dodd’s help, he heroically raised six children after his young wife died while giving birth to their youngest child.
In 1909, while listening to a sermon about the newly recognized Mother’s Day, Dodd was bothered that there was not a day to honor fathers.
So she organized the first Father’s Day in Spokane, Wash., on June 19, 1910.
St. Joseph is the patron saint of fathers. He was the model, guide, and teacher of Jesus, and he supported the Holy Family through the work of his hands.
He shows us that the best gift that a father can give to his children is to love their mother as he loved Mary. Mary’s love of Joseph surely influenced the profound respect Jesus had for women.
Like Sonora Dodd, we have a graced opportunity to appreciate our dad on Father’s Day and every day.
If he is alive, we can visit him, share lunch, or call him.
Perhaps the best way to honor him is to be the best son or daughter that we can be.
Whether he is in time or eternity, may our father enjoy a happy Father’s Day.
Fr. Donald Lange is a pastor emeritus in the Diocese of Madison.