Copy, Paste

            Did you know that Father’s Day was made after the thought of having a Mother’s Day? Neither did I. Mother’s Day was actually an inspiration for Father’s Day. It was first celebrated on June 19, 1910, in the state of Washington. The nation’s first event to explicitly honor fathers was when they commemorated the 362 men who died in the explosions at the Fairmont Coal Company mines in Monongah. Although, that was just a one-time commemoration. The following year, Sonora Smart Dodd, a woman from Spokane, Washington, who was raised by a widowed parent, out of six children, raised an idea to establish an official holiday for Fathers in equivalent to Mother’s Day. She asked for help and eventually, the local churches, the YMCA, shopkeepers and government officials supported her idea. The Washington State then celebrated the nation’s first Father’s Day on June 19, 1910.

 (When we attended his first ever 4life Gala Awards at the Convention Center in Manila.)

“You look just like your father.”

 

            It’s what I often hear. And it’s pretty obvious. Specially on the eyebrows. I have it really thick like his. As well as my eyelashes. We both have it long, thick, and curved. But despite the physical appearances, we also have the same interests. My hobbies; skateboarding, playing the guitar or ukulele, listening to music, collecting toy cars (collectibles), playing video games such as shooting games (PUBG), and going for a jog, are all of his hobbies. It’s like he is copied and pasted, and I’m the pasted result with a bit of modification.

 

            My father works in BPI (Bank of the Philippine Islands). He is now an ABM (Assistant Branch Manager). I remember during my elementary years, starting around second or third grade, his branch wasn’t Vigan, and he attended lots of trainings during that time, so he wasn’t home that much. But every time he comes home, I write him a letter, and stick it on our door – where he will immediately see when he comes home.

(picture of one of the actual letters I gave dad that he kept and has it until now.)

            Growing up, I eventually saw all his hard works for me and mom. I saw him start at the very bottom, and now, he’s achieved awards, not only from BPI, but also from 4Life Research. I was one sickly child, and our money was mostly spent on medicines and hospital bills. It was tough for him, specially I got admitted to the hospital often before. And I thank him so much for all the hard work he did for us.

            Fathers may not have the same natural sentimental appeal that mothers have, but they show their love through the hardships of their work. They deserve a day dedicated to them to celebrate once a year as well, in order to honor, appreciate, and give recognition to their hard work.

 

Happy Father’s Day, Daddy. I love you ♡

(Best lesson in life that he taught me.) 

 

References:

https://www.history.com/topics/holidays/fathers-day

https://tinyurl.com/FathersDay-2022