Father's Day for the Ages

Sunday is Father’s Day, perhaps one of the best days of the year for me. As with most one-day holidays, the Weiner’s turn it into a weekend-long event. And for me, it’s one of the precious few occasions I get to spend with all five of my children together in the same place at the same time.

With two in college and working summer jobs, one Monday-Friday and the other Saturday-Wednesday, getting them together for a weekend with their younger siblings, all under the same roof, is truly a treat for me. But our Father’s Day get-together will be an extended family affair – my mother, brother, mother-in-law, sisters- and brother-in-law, nieces, and aunt and uncle will all be at our house to celebrate, probably around 20 of us all told. There’s nothing like standing behind the grill on Father’s Day afternoon, with most if not all of your family, just enjoying the day and having everyone together.

Since the weather forecast in the Northeast is for sun most of the weekend, we’ll do a variety of things including biking, playground, scootering, pool, beach, perhaps a few holes of golf and of course, lots of eating and drinking. All in all, it’s the best gift this particular father could ask for.

As I get older, these days become more precious to me year after year. My father passed away in 1978, 36 years ago. He was 45, I was 20. That’s 36 Father’s Days we missed. My oldest is already 22; my youngest, 22 months. I can only hope I am lucky enough to get enough more years to see all five of my children enjoy as many Father’s Days with their own families as I have enjoyed with them.

Happy Father’s Day, everyone!