Healthy, Happy Father’s Day
By Susan Hunt-Bradford
I miss my dad. He died in 2002, and I think about him every day. I know it sounds cliché, but sometimes it truly feels like just yesterday he was making me laugh and being the thoughtful, caring, accepting dad that he was. He was also an amazing grandfather. My son adored him, and we still talk about him and my mom often, wishing they were both still here to see us and help guide us through life. No matter how old I get, I still need my parents.
My dad was a hard worker. He would get up at 4 a.m. every morning to get ready for work, and lately I’ve found myself doing the exact same thing. Every morning when I wake up that early, I think of him and the little routines he had before leaving for the day. When I was younger, I thought he was a little kooky for getting up so early, but now I understand it completely.
There is something peaceful and grounding about those quiet early morning hours before the rest of the world wakes up. Of course, it also means going to bed earlier, but it has become a way of life for me now. My dog gets up with me every morning too, mostly because he knows breakfast will be served soon.
As I get older, I find myself understanding more and more about my parents—their worries, their sacrifices, their routines, and the many ways they quietly cared for the people they loved. So much of parenting happens in ordinary moments that children often don’t fully appreciate until years later.
This year for The Healthy Planet, I wanted to do something special for Father’s Day, so I asked several dads a few questions that are included in this issue. Their answers were heartfelt, honest, and surprisingly simple. They didn’t talk about gifts or expensive celebrations. What they wanted most was time with their families, feeling appreciated, and simply being together.
Reading their responses made me wish I could sit down with my own dad one more time and ask him those same questions. I think I know what his answers would have been.
This Father’s Day, whether your dad is still with you, far away, or only present now in memory, I hope you take a moment to appreciate the fathers, grandfathers, stepfathers, mentors, and father figures who helped shape your life.
Wishing all fathers and families a healthy, happy Father’s Day.