When a Father’s Day goes on forever

Ever wonder how many firsts of our lives involve a father. Or, a father-figure, an almost-father, more-like a father or such persona. It is the symbol of what a father means, more than the person and how they make you feel. The feeling of being with a father, thus shapes the emotional well-being of any person. First cuddle, first finger-tug, first bath, first word, first walk, first bike, first win, first fail, first argument – there are a lot of firsts in the lifespan of a father-child relationship. There’s another type of first though - A first Father’s Day without your father. His memories, his thoughts, his laughter, his love are all there, but what one doesn’t get is his touch, his voice, his smile, his hugs. One can only remember every year the special phone call, or dinner, or gift or any gesture made to commemorate this special bond.

A big part of human experiences is suffering, the mental, physical and emotional agony to feel loss, grief, despair and hopelessness. These experiences are further exacerbated through cultural events. What once gave you joy and the other person lot of happiness, now seems like a thorn inside the valves of your heart constantly tugging at your strings, making you feel as if your heart is bleeding to death instead of pumping blood into your organs that helps sustain life itself.

It is hypnotically dark, this circle of grief that pulls you in and keeps you occupied in the whirlwind of memories. Social media is full of reminders of what once was, what could have been and what can never be. It also is resplendent with antidotes of “How to” articles – how to deal with grief on Father’s Day, how to handle the holiday, how to celebrate even when you can't, how to plan your day .. how to, how to, how to.

It is tough. But if you think about it, from this year on, Father’s Day is not every year – it is forever. When earlier you had a day to miss him, or thank him or tell him how special he was, or how special he made you feel – now you can do it forever. Every day. And this way, he is more alive than ever.