Since 1910 families have been celebrating Father’s Day. However, scholars believe that the origin of Father’s Day can be traced back in the ruins of Babylon.

Four thousands years ago, a young boy named Elmesu carved a Father’s Day message on a card made out of clay. On the card he wished his father good health and a long life.

However, in wasn’t until 1966 that President Lyndon Johnson signed a document declaring that the third Sunday of June would officially be noted as Father’s Day. Since that time Fathers have been honored in a variety of ways.

Food and family topped my father’s list. It didn’t matter whether it was a pot roast, a back yard barbeque or a restaurant meal as long as we were all together.

Naturally, we brought him an assortment of gifts such as ties, shirts, peanuts or books. Dad enjoyed playing cribbage and he was good at it. So, one year we all chipped in and purchased a table size cribbage board. Over the years that gift brought us many happy times.

Just as carnations are regarded as the traditional Mother’s Day flower, the rose was selected as the official flower for Father’s Day. Furthermore, in several countries, people follow the custom of wearing either a white or red rose to express gratitude to their dads. Whereas a red rose denotes that their father is still alive, a white rose states that their father is deceased.

This Father’s Day, due to this new tidbit of information, I will purchase a white rose in honor of my dad. However, I am undecided if I will wear it, display it in a vase on our dining room table, or take a trip to the cemetery and place it on his grave site.

Consequently, whether our fathers are alive or deceased, we can still celebrate Father’s Day. Thus, be it a homemade card like Elmesu wishing them good health and a long life or a rose, we can stay on the bright side of life by expressing our gratitude.

Back to top