Happy Father's Day!
Peace and Love everyone! It’s Kedler and I want to talk about Father’s Day. Being the curious person I am, I decided to look up the origin of this special day and I want to share the information I found out with you. Fun fact: Father’s Day was not accepted amongst the people when it was first introduced, and it did not become a national holiday in the U.S. until 1972 during President Richard Nixon’s administration. I think that is why until today, it is the most neglected holiday around the world. Don't be jealous thou, my fellow fathers, if you are not seen all the time but keep working hard for your kids. The first known Father’s Day service occurred in Fairmont, West Virginia, on July 5, 1908, after hundreds of men died in the worst mining accident in U.S. history. Keep in mind that it is 64 years from the time it was introduced until the time it was made a national holiday. So, a woman by the name of Grace Clayton, the daughter of a dedicated reverend, proposed a service to honor all fathers, especially those who had died. However, the observance did not become an annual event, and it was not promoted—very few outside the local area knew about it.
In 1909, Sonora Dodd of Spokane, Washington, was inspired by Anna Jarvis her idea of Mother’s Day. For Sonora, it hit home all too well. She was raised by her father who was a single parent to her and her five brothers. Her father became a widow after his wife Ellen, died giving birth to their youngest child in 1898. William Smart, Sonora’s father, was a farmer and Civil War veteran as well. While attending a Mother’s Day church service in 1909, Sonora, then 27, came up with the idea. Within a few months, Sonora had convinced the Spokane Ministerial Association and the YMCA to set aside a Sunday in June to celebrate fathers. She proposed June 5, her father’s birthday, but the ministers chose the third Sunday in June so that they would have more time after Mother’s Day (the second Sunday in May) to prepare their sermons. So it was held on June 19, 1910, when Sonora delivered presents to handicapped fathers, boys from the YMCA decorated their lapels with fresh-cut roses (red for living fathers, white for the deceased), and the city’s ministers devoted their homilies to fatherhood. North America is not the only place where Father’s Day is celebrated, of course. • In traditionally Catholic countries such as Spain and Portugal, Father’s Day is observed on March 19, the Feast of St. Joseph. • Taiwanese celebrate Father’s Day on August 8, the eighth day of the eighth month, because the Mandarin Chinese word for eight sounds like the word for “Papa.” • In Thailand, Father’s Day is celebrated on former King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s birthday, December 5.
So to all my fathers who are hardworking, caring, and protective of their children I want to salute you. I want to thank my father, Kenold, for the hard work he has been put in my life and my 5 siblings. My dad was the man of many trades just to make sure he can take care of his family. He was a farmer, tailor, and mechanic fixing sewing machines and bicycles. I think the biggest sacrifice that I remember until today that my dad did was on a Sunday afternoon, a tap-tap (which is a little public transportation car-see my YouTube video to see a picture) would come to pick up a couple of my father's sewing machines to the pawnshop to get a loan so that he can pay for our school that is opening the next day. I am so grateful for my dad for the examples he set in my life to be a better father to my son, KJ, whom I love so much. To end our podcast, stay true to yourself and make the maximum sacrifice you can do for your kids. I wish you all fathers around the world a Happy Father’s Day from the bottom of my heart! If you play a father role in the life of someone, Happy Father's Day to you as well! Checkout this music from Luther Vandross, Dance With My Father. Your brother, friend, and mentor. Kedler