No matter how many years you have spent Father's Day without your father, they never get easier. Whether it is your twentieth year, fifth year, or first year, they are always hard. So if you are reading this and are someone spending another Father's Day or your first Father's Day without your father, I understand.
Please don't get me wrong, when expressing these thoughts and feelings, I am not wallowing in self-pity or asking for sympathy; I am simply expressing how I feel through words in the hopes that they will comfort someone experiencing the same things and let them know that there is someone out there who understands what they are going through.
This year will be my third Father's Day without my dad. To say that it gets easier would be a lie. It never gets easier, but you have no choice but to stand up from where life has knocked you down and continue on with life. Is it easy? No. But are you strong? Absolutely.
Father's Day is a hard time for me. Three years ago, I spent the last Father's Day with my amazing dad, and just four short days later, he left this Earth. It may seem silly, but it's hard to walk down the aisles of Wal-Mart and see the Father's Day cards and know that you will never buy one for your dad again. Or see others post about their father's on social media and know that you will never post any recent pictures of you and your dad because you have none.
It's hard to see fathers and daughters out and about; laughing, smiling, and enjoying each other's company and knowing that you cannot experience the warm embrace of your father any longer.
If your father is not with you this Father's Day, I encourage you to do something that you know would make your dad happy. Do something that makes you happy. Spend the day with the people that you love doing the things that you love. Don't sit and dwell on the fact that your father isn't with you because that is not what he would want.
I'm sorry that you are having to celebrate Father's Day without your father. I know it's not fair, but know that he is proud of you. Keep putting one foot in front of the other, and know that there are other people out there who know what you are going through, including me.
You are not alone. You are loved. You make people proud; including your dad.
