As Father's Day approaches we do some thinking about Dad. Things we should probably think about year 'round. Here are some meaningful ways to say you care.
1. Tell him how he inspired you. As a young boy, Craig's dad took him fly fishing every summer and from those experiences Craig gained a love of nature. After college Craig became a forest ranger, the career of his dreams. If your father has inspired you in any way, this is the ideal time to acknowledge him for the contribution he is making to your life.
2. Recognize him as a good role model. What has your father taught you about being a good person? He will be touched to hear from you what you learned by watching him live his life. Remember, he doesn't know for sure unless you tell him.
3. Thank him for the respect he has shown your mother. If you are lucky enough to have a father who treats your mother well, you are blessed. Tell him how much that means to you. Men learn how to treat women well by watching how fathers treat their mothers.
4. Thank him for staying cool. Perhaps there was a time when you were a child that your father could have been upset, but instead he kept his cool. Perhaps your family faced difficult circumstances and rather than taking frustrations out on his family, your dad stayed calm. Your dad may not know that you noticed. Sharing your memories of those situations will mean more than any gift.
5. Appreciate how hard he worked. Dads get up every day and go to work sometimes at jobs they don't enjoy to support their families. Dads work very hard to show how much they care. Tell him "thank you" for working so hard. He may have given up his own dreams for the sake of his children. When you tell him that you appreciate how hard he has worked, he will know you care.
6. Give him credit. Your dad may not have been perfect, but perhaps he did the best he could. Give him credit for that.
7. Find common ground. If you and your dad have had a challenging relationship, perhaps this is the day to begin reconciliation. Dads mellow with age. If you share a mutual interest, that's a good way to start the healing process.
8. Send a healing message. Tell your dad that you want to have a good relationship with him. If you already have a good relationship, tell him how grateful you are for that.
9. Say: "I love you." These words are more than words. Saying, "I love you" means that you value and care for your dad. Even if you and your dad have differences, don't let those differences stop you from expressing deep feelings.
10. Honor men. Who are the men who have cared about your well-being or had an impact on your life? From grandfathers to uncles to stepdads or a big brother figure, take a moment to acknowledge their contribution. Words reveal how you feel and mean more than presents.
11. Laugh out loud. Tell jokes; remember a funny incident; be lighthearted. Nothing unites as easily as relaxing and laughing together.