It may seem that Father’s Day is a copycat celebration of Mother’s Day. After all, its first commemoration on July 5, 1908 came two months after Anna Jarvis waged a campaign in the United States to establish Mother’s Day.
But copycat or not, the reason for the first commemoration of Father’s Day initiated by Grace Golden Clayton was singularly heart-rending. It was for the death of 361 men, including 250 fathers, in the Monongah Mining Disaster in 1907.
Among the thousands of children rendered fatherless was Clayton. The First Father’s Day was a simple plea by Clayton to the pastor of an Episcopalian church in West Virginia to honor during service not only her father but all the fathers who had perished.
Jarvis died a spinster thus failing to become a mother herself. A local historian quoted her as saying in her impoverished last days that she regretted ever promoting Mother’s Day.
No retraction similar to Jarvis came forth from Clayton, but it was clear then and now what’s so wrong with the celebrations of Mother’s Day and Father’s Day – their commercialization like Christmas and Valentine’s Day to feed corporate greed.
This Father’s Day, a hug, a kiss and a heartfelt expression of love, affection and appreciation for our fathers or the fathers of our children could never be matched by the most expensive gifts money can buy.
For the fathers no longer with us, lighting a candle and saying a small prayer for them should shine a light on enduring love and sacrifices they had showered on us. -end-
Image by CFABW
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