3 Creative Ideas for Remembering Your Dad This Father’s Day
By: Allison Gilbert
Many years ago on The Huffington Post, I shared the eulogy I gave at my father’s funeral. The speech was unusual – a Top 10 List of our silly and substantive father-daughter relationship quirks. My reflections would later stir conversations with my children about their grandfather. When he died, just three days after September 11, my son was 18-months-old. My daughter wasn’t born.
In my book, Passed and Present: Keeping Memories of Loved Ones Alive, I reveal 85 ideas for remembering and celebrating the family and friends we never want to forget. Writing stories down (and making sure to share them, too) is just one powerful tool. My kids have a better sense of their grandfather because they’ve read that eulogy. Other strategies I’ve used include Building a Refuge and Turning My Father’s Ties Into a Quilt.
With Father’s Day upon us, here are a few more creative and uplifting opportunities for remembering and honoring our dads.
1. Use the day to celebrate your father’s memory. Rejoice in what your dad still means to you. Prepare his favorite meal. Enjoy his favorite dessert. For me, this involves making a grocery run to buy lemon ice cream. My father loved lemon ice cream, lemon ices, lemon meringue pie – anything lemon! The smell and taste of lemon makes me smile. They make my dad feel especially close.
2. Listen to music your father enjoyed. Every time I hear “The Hustle” I’m immediately transported to a wonderful and warm memory from my wedding. My dad was a great dancer (think a wannabe John Travolta in Saturday Night Fever), so he chose that famous 1970s tune for our father/daughter dance. Consider putting together a playlist of your father’s favorite music to spark joyful memories.
3. Remember your dad through his handwriting. You can take your father’s handwritten words and engrave them onto bracelets, necklaces, and cufflinks. Etsy has an entire section of their website dedicated to personalized handwriting jewelry. Custom pieces are wonderful conversation starters, especially useful (and sentimental) on Father’s Day.
Take advantage of Father’s Day. Choose to celebrate your dad -- no matter how long it’s been since he died.
How will you honor your dad this Father’s Day? Share your reflections on the For Grief Community Page. We can all learn from each other.
Allison Gilbert is one of the most thought-provoking and influential writers on grief and resilience. She is the author of numerous books including, Passed and Present: Keeping Memories of Loved Ones Alive. She serves on the Board of Directors of the National Alliance for Grieving Children and the Advisory Board of the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors. Watch Gilbert’s Google Author Talk, How to Harness Loss to Drive Happiness, here.