Being a woman, it's hard to imagine what Father's Day means to a man.
But, from the perspective of a daughter, I can tell you what it has meant to me.
It is difficult to determine the worth of all life's circumstances as you are living in the moment.
How quickly the time passes, and it will not be long before you treasure these priceless chapters in your life.
You will reflect on the days shared with that special person who made you who you are today.
My perspective on celebrating Father's Day is that it is not just for the father.
Understandably, it is also for those who have engaged with him, and need this time to recapture the memories they cherish.
A father and daughter relationship is a prime example of why we celebrate Father's Day.
As you mature, you realize that the relationship that has developed over the years is truly the gift for Father's Day.
It seems as though I became the closest to my father during my adult years.
Our relationship somehow changed, and as the years passed, we supported each other on a different level.
With maturity comes an opportunity to see each other as adults and a new relationship develops.
When you are a little girl, you depend on your father, and go to him with every whim and everything you need help with.
My father was a powerhouse of knowledge, and he was very resourceful in supplying me with information and a new approach to learning.
Growing up during the Depression, certainly gave him the appreciation for conservation and efficiency, and provided him with an edge for survival tactics and innovative ideas.
My father was always able to either create or improvise a method or idea to improve upon a situation and never did anything the easy way.
He was adept in displaying unusual and productive means to an end, and took pride in the results.
I know that I have inherited some of these qualities, as I often find myself shadowing his inventive style within many situations that have been presented in my life.
My sister and I were very lucky girls! And, we were the envy of all our friends when it came down to the "red carpet.
" Coming from a long line of skilled professionals, Dad produced fashions for women's wear, and we always sported the latest outfits and trendy styles.
"Those girls always look like they stepped off the runway," some of the women in the neighborhood would say.
Many, many years of exposure to the world of style certainly influenced us growing up and set the tone for our dedication to fashion.
I accredit this admiration to my father, as so much of his persuasion made us aware of the efforts utilized in the industry, and made us so fashion conscious today.
As I try to categorize the different ways in which my father catered to me, the most dominant would be, of course, the focus on the sense of style.
But taking this aside for just a moment, I can expand my search on the subject and recall situations when he really came through for me.
Although he was known to many as a man to be considered a bit overanxious, my father would surprise me many times when I needed him.
In conditions where I might otherwise turn to my mother for nurturing assistance, there were times that I knew she would react in a more worrisome and excitable mode.
Somehow, my father's demeanor would prevail and the world was bright again.
How funny it all seems now, but I vividly recall the day when I was about 10 years old, and a very nice schoolmate of mine decided to put gum in my hair.
My hair was long, down to my waist, and I just panicked at the thought of my mother cutting my hair to fix the problem.
So, I waited all afternoon with 'butterflies' in my stomach, slinking around so as not to alert my mother to the catastrophe, and warded off the dreaded scissors!!! When Dad came through the door that evening, I couldn't wait to tell him about my misfortune, and followed him into the bedroom, whispering my sad tale.
He assured me that he could remove it, and after dinner that evening the two of us slipped away to the basement where he proceeded to remove the gum, with cleaning fluid! Who knew that I didn't have to go to school bald the next day? A great sense of relief came over me.
I am amazed to this day when I think about it, of how calm and supportive he was.
Truthfully speaking, I don't think my mother ever found out about it, and if I didn't have faith in my father before that day, I would trust him forever.
My father did many things for me that by today's standards would not amount to much in the monetary sense.
I cannot put a price on the gifts he gave me, especially since I didn't value them as much in my youth.
But the simplest of gestures, like teaching me to ride a bike, and entertaining my friends at a birthday party, or helping me with a school project are all prominent in my memory.
I do know that during the time I lived through those particular experiences, I felt a great closeness and admiration for his allegiance and commitment, more than any millionaire could match.
Ask yourself about special times and circumstances in your life when your father greatly influenced your character.
Ask yourself about situations that impacted your trust in him, no matter how minuscule they may appear as you denote them.
And ask yourself why it was just as important for him to fulfill your needs, as it was important for you to reap them.
All your answers construct the mold for a special father.
Only you can determine the significance of such a model, of such a mentor, of such a man.