Father’s Day and Such

It can be tough without a dad

I had a book signing in Amherst and someone came in and commented on the photo we displayed on the table. It’s the family photo that is on the back cover of the book.

I said “Oh yea, that was taken on our last Father’s Day together. Oh my, I didn’t put that together. Tomorrow is Father’s Day.” That might not even strike you as odd, but it hit me for some reason and gave me goosebumps and wet eyes all at the same time. My husband had been gone over two years already.

This woman went on to say it was her dad’s birthday but he has passed away. I told her she took the prize for tough weekends. Birthday AND Father’s Day. We hugged.

On Sunday, we went to my Dad’s house for a cookout. It was a relatively quiet day, but I found myself being pensive and angry. I had a conflict with a friend in the morning which didn’t help to start the day well.

There were a few guys (family) at Dad’s, and none of them would toss a football or baseball around with Frankie. Frankie was disappointed but didn’t make a big deal about it.

In my mind though, I was very hurt. Doesn’t anyone remember that it’s Father’s Day and this ten-year-old doesn’t even have one? I know everyone was tired and full, but it would have meant a lot if they had spent a few minutes being that male person for Frankie.

On the way home, I started that bad record in my mind about how things aren’t fair. All of my nieces and nephew had both their grandparents until they were adults. They all still have both their parents.

My son lost his Grandma at age four, and now doesn’t even have a father. It’s not right. But I learned a long time that life isn’t always fair. So why does it get to me on some days and not others?

Then it’s Monday. Moving up day at Frankie’s school (pre-pandemic). I hate when I screw things up and I really did a good job with this one.

I started out the day remembering that Frankie had to wear his yellow shirt, which was covered in mud and not washed. So that started a frenzy of activity to try and get it ready and a whole lot of self-blame for being a single mom for two and a half years now and I still drop the ball.

The problem was, that Frankie was selected by his peers to read a speech on behalf of his class so he was going to be up in the front.

I rushed and got to school. It is hitting me now that my son is going through a milestone marker. He is going into Middle School. Holy cow. That is a big deal.

And I’m going by myself.

If I had thought about it, I would have asked someone from my family to come with me. But I didn’t. He’s growing up. And then the fear starts. Only a few years left now for Social Security. Am I going to be able to keep the house when that money is gone?

By the time I walked into the building I knew I was in trouble. But true to the Bitter and Sweet mantra, I just prayed that Frankie’s second-grade teacher was in the building. She was his teacher when Tim died and she has become a dear friend.

Not only was she in her room, but she was also alone without any students. I walked in and collapsed in her arms. The sobs just came. I haven’t had days like this in a long time, but when it hits, it still hits like it was just yesterday.

I gathered myself and made it to the assembly on time. I videotaped it. When Frankie got up, everyone cheered for him. They didn’t cheer for the other two speakers. He did a smash-up job and I was so proud of him.

He really is growing up. And he’s outgoing and a ham. Life IS still sweet. Just have to shed some bitter tears once in a while.