A Father's Day Round-Up

I know how difficult Father's Day is for the newly widowed. It's another reminder of what is missing. The kids' class-made Father's Day cards and presents must find new recipients. Widowed moms try to make the best of the day, pat themselves wearily on the back for trying to be good dads and just get through it. Widowed dads might get lopsided pancakes in bed, a homemade card and a tie and try to not miss sharing those secret smiles with their wives.I thought it might be interesting to go back through my old posts and see how I dealt with Father's Day over the years. OK, ready for the ride down memory lane?2008 - The Father's Day Dilemma, where I advise another widow on how one might deal with Father's Day as a widowed mom.2009 - A Father's Legacy, where Carter buys a Father's Day card for his friend's two dads.2010 - Every Day is Father’s Day for a Mom Who is Also a Dad, an essay I wrote for HelloGrief.com on how I got through Father's Day over the years.2011 - Perspective, an essay I wrote about my own dad teaching me how to draw perspective.2012 - Happy Father's Day, Mom, more on how we muddle through the day, teenaged angst, and a lone call up from the basement of "Happy Father's Day, Mom!"2013 - Chasing Mavericks. Not exactly specifically about Father's Day, but a clear example of being a mother and a father rolled into one.This Father's Day will likely go by without much of a blink from me or my kids. I'll do my traditional call to my own Dad who will do his traditional grumble about Father's Day being a Hallmark invention and that will be about it. Perhaps I'll again get a "Happy Father's Day, Mom" called up from the basement and I'll laugh. If I play my cards right, I will be on Vashon with Jim doing Father-y things like repairing the path to the beach and life will be good.For all those of you who are struggling through another "Hallmark" moment, take heart. It gets better. In the meantime, go have a G&T and put your feet up. You deserve it.