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Every year we wonder about the best way to encourage our readers on certain holidays. Father’s Day is no exception. Mainly we want our readers to know there is no right or wrong way to celebrate it. Even years after the initial big days, the holidays continue to come around every year, causing some anxiety or apathy. Here are some ways our AWM team has “celebrated” Father’s Day.

Kathy: Sadly, because our kids didn’t live close by and were fathers themselves, they celebrated with their own children. I think those early years were hard and we talked by phone but never did anything special. I didn’t go to church on Father’s Day after Steve passed away. This year will be different. I have joined a church with my son and his family so will be with him on Father’s Day.

Jennifer: It’s a bit different now since I am remarried; we celebrate Michael (my late husband), Keith (my current husband), and my own dad. Father’s Day can be so tough and filled with sadness and sorrow, especially when you feel helpless to help your children. We always attend church. It could be triggering at first for some widows, seeing families together, but I found starting our day (no matter our circumstances) with the Lord helped. We usually eat at one of my late husband Michael’s favorite restaurants, pick up some balloons or bring something my son made to the cemetery. He was only one and a half when his dad passed and is now 10. To this day he still brings a Hot Wheel car to the cemetery to set on the headstone. We share “memories” and talk and pray. My son is very close with my dad who is still alive, so celebrating him (and now Keith, too) can help bring some joy to our day.

Shawna: I am kind of in the same boat as Kathy. As my kids started having their own families in addition to some family tension, we often didn’t get together on Father’s Day. However, the Father’s Day before my husband died, we had a big family picnic at our house with a campfire. I don’t remember what year it was after Vic died, but that year I was reminded that I didn’t really have a father to celebrate. My grandfather who raised me had died years before, my stepfather had passed 3 years earlier and then Vic was gone. The Lord reminded me that I had another Father…my heavenly Father -and that helped so much to remember He was (is) the greatest Father and I could celebrate Him.

Adriane: We’ve only had one thus far and my kids left for a mission trip early that morning so we didn’t do anything. This year will be the same- leaving on another church mission trip.

Eileen: I’m fortunate my dad is 95 and lives near me! My kids and I focus on him Father’s Day weekend. We celebrate together on Saturday so they can celebrate with their children on Sunday. We go out for brunch or put brunch together. And each year has been different based on their schedules and what they needed for their family. It’s a difficult weekend for me each year. I have been praying for some new ideas for this year…In the past, I have taken my son and son-in-law to Top Golf on the Tuesday after Father’s Day. We have dinner and a contest for the longest drive (which I never Win by the way!!) and other contests between us…on the accuracy shots, I do better. I just want to honor their commitment to their children and encourage them somehow! They enjoy it and I feel like it’s a good way to let them know I appreciate what they do.

Kit: When my four boys were younger, I celebrated Brother’s Day. I had these cool tray tables for breakfast in bed and made them French toast. As they ate their breakfast I gave them each a page-long letter I wrote them, explaining how I’ve seen them grow in the past year to be more and more like their father, reminding them of the amazing dad he was and how they have grown into some of his amazing character traits. I’d finish the letter by connecting their good traits to Dad’s great traits to the characteristics of our loving Father in Heaven. As they grew older they continued to love this way of celebrating. It became a yearly tradition and the letters were fun to collect. But once they were young adults I noticed it wasn’t as natural to do these kinds of traditions and I didn’t want it to feel forced. I mention their dad on Father’s Day to let them know he’s on my mind and they were fathered well. They agree they were and they have fond loving memories of him.

Sheryl: I usually spend it alone, other than seeing my family at church if they are in town. I am so grateful for my Dad and all that he taught me and for my husband who was a great stepdad to my children from the time they were very young. My gratitude I share quietly with God throughout the day. I know my father and husband are having a wonderful time in God’s presence and that brings me great peace.

Dear Heavenly Father, please be with each of these women today as they miss the important men in their lives. Help them to have the peace that surpasses all understanding. Please give them opportunities to share stories with loved ones and friends about the blessings You bestowed through these wonderful men. Thank You, Father, for the gift of eternal life so that we may be in Your presence and theirs for all eternity. We love You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.