A Norvell Note

June 15, 2025 – Vol. 29 No. 21

Father’s Day Memories 

Happy Father’s Day to all my fellow fathers!

I was nineteen when my dad died. I cannot conjure up a single childhood memory of him on Father’s Day. For that matter, I cannot recall a single childhood memory of Mother’s Day with my mother either. Before you judge me, can you? 

However, since I became a father, my two children have given me many fond Father’s Day memories. 

I have received coffee cups, shirts, phone calls, a surprise visit or two, meals together, and cards with hand-written notes ending with, “I love you, Dad.” There have been Father’s Day, when my children and my wife have graciously given me space to watch most, if not almost all, of the U.S. Open Golf Tournament. 

My favorite memory of being a father/dad has occurred on ordinary days other than Father’s Day. That’s the image of seeing my son and my daughter and their spouses together, loving each other, caring for each other, laughing with each other, and being there for each other. Is there a greater gift a child can give to a parent?

I love Father’s Day. I am blessed to have two wonderful children, their spouses, and grandchildren, and I thank God for the blessings they are to me. 

If you are fortunate enough to be a father, I hope you feel blessed by them, encouraged by them, and celebrated by them. If your father is still living, please take the opportunity to express your love and appreciation for him. Spend time with them. Call them. Send them a note.

And most importantly, tell them you love them. They may try to convince you that they don’t need that mushy stuff. Don’t believe them. They do need to hear those words. 

It’s Father’s Day. Make a memory. 

A Norvell Note © Copyright 2025 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved