By JoDell Haverfield, Have Travel Memories
Father’s Day is a customary day for the celebration of fatherhood. In Catholic Europe, Father’s Day is known to date back to at least 1508. It is usually celebrated on March 19th and is known as the feast day of Saint Joseph. This celebration was brought to the Americas by the Spanish and Portuguese. Then, in 1908, Grace Golden Clayton proposed the day to honor those men who lost their lives in a mining accident in the U.S., though it was not accepted then. But in 1909, Senora Smart Dodd, who along with her five brothers were raised by her father alone, being inspired by attending a Mother’s Day celebration at church, convinced the Spokane Ministerial Association to celebrate Father’s Day worldwide. However, it wasn’t named a national holiday until Richard Nixon signed it into law in 1972. While more than 111 countries recognize Father’s Day on different dates, the U.S. plus 92 other countries celebrate this special day on the third Sunday in June.
Below are great Father’s Day stories to put you in the mood:
The Hitchhiker’s Guide to Family by Rachel O’Connor, Westtown, New York
“Linda, look at the map!” My father slammed on the brakes, glaring at my mom. He did not believe in excessive planning, and so each summer we embarked on a spontaneous family road trip that didn’t always go smoothly. There were lots of late-night panics to find hotels, stops to ask for directions, and elevated tempers. One night, we picked up a hitchhiker somewhere in Kentucky. As we blasted the radio and my dad bought us all ice cream, the hitchhiker told me he’d give his life to have what I had.
First In Flight by Kay Lockridge, Santa Fe, New Mexico
The little Cessna had just cleared the pattern in its climb to 1,500 feet when my father said, “OK, we can land now.” With my newly minted private pilot’s license in hand, I had wanted him to be my first non-instructor passenger. I’d planned to circle the Michigan State University campus and come back to the university-owned airport. I reminded him of this, and I’ll never forget what Dad said, more than 40 years ago: “I’m not fond of small planes. I just wanted you to know that I have confidence in you.”
Still Here by Mary Ellen Raneri, Latrobe, Pennsylvania
My dad sat straight up in bed and smiled at me. Even though his mouth was crusted with fever sores, he grinned a big grin from his unshaven face. Dementia had completely taken him from me—or so I thought, until he spoke to me. “Honey,” Dad almost seemed to sing the words. “What are you doing here?” My throat muscles ached from trying to talk and not cry. Choking back my tears, I half-sobbed, “Daddy, I’m here to especially see you. I love you, you know.” “Me too, honey,” he whispered. Then, still smiling, Daddy fell asleep.
Travel News Update:
Cruising from the U.S. is back and expected to start this summer. Vaccines will most likely be required at first with some protocols still in place which are expected to be relaxed in the near future. Changes are happening daily.
Alaska: Some cruise lines will sail from Seattle in summer 2021 fully vaccinated.
Israel: Tourism is back and will be welcoming guests beginning this month.
Many countries have been welcoming tourists for some time. But, before you go, make sure you know the entry requirements for each country including the Bahamas, Jamaica, Turks, Caicos and the Caribbean.
We will be hosting a 9-night Painting with a Twist cruise on Celebrity to include an incredible rate and extra perks, sailing from FLL September 17, 2021. We will be going to Grand Cayman, Aruba, Curacao and Bonaire with 4 wonderful days at sea. This a great post-Covid, girlfriend getaway or a romantic cruise for two. Call me to book your space now!
Happy Father’s Day including fathers to be out there! Kick back, relax and start planning your next trip. My husband, Dave, will be a great grandfather next month—a baby girl to be born to grandson Colin and his wife, Savannah.
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