Why I am Not Buying my Father a Father’s Day Present

So Father’s Day is on Sunday, and it is Friday. And here I am, silently panicking about not having anything to give my dad. Last year, the siblings and I joined together and bought him a smoker as a combined Father’s Day/60th birthday present. That is a hard thing to beat.

My dad is impossible to shop for as it is. He always says he doesn’t need anything, or he has a very short list. Lists are great for giving ideas, but when a list is very short, you run the risk of buying a double present and it doesn’t give you a lot of options. This is why, when I write my list each year, it is long and varied and has many examples. I don’t expect to receive all of the things, but at least you get an idea of the kinds of things I like and have the freedom to either directly shop from the list, or get creative.

So every Christmas and birthday for my dad, I have to get creative. Kitchen gadgets are always a safe option; he loves cooking and could always use a new toy. Also safe are church related things, like talks/books on tape or General Conference CDs. Anything that involves the family is also good. My sister-in-law is amazing at making personalized calendars with pictures of the kids and grandkids each year. Clothing is a little tricky because he is part of the “big and tall” set, so finding affordable clothes that fit can be a hunting game. Still, a tie is a good bet. A man can never have too many ties really.

But that is Christmas and birthday: two times when you give someone a gift because you love them and want to celebrate them. Father’s Day is different. Father’s Day is meant to be about your dad just being a dad. Appreciating him for all of the dad-ly things he has done. Ties and CDs are great and all, but they don’t adequately express how I feel about my dad and everything that he is as a father.

Perhaps in the future, I’ll be able to join in with my siblings and be a part of the grandkids group. It’s easy to make my dad happy by reminding him that he is a grandpa and that his grandbabies love him. But I don’t have kids or even a husband. I’m just me. Which is totally fine, but that means I cannot really participate in that aspect of gifting just yet. No calendars or framed photos or T-shirts with tiny handprints on them from me.

How, then, do I express my love for my father? How do I let him know how much he means to me?
I have been incredibly blessed. I fully acknowledge this. I know that not everyone has a dad that is as dedicated and loving to their family as mine. If I brag, it is only because I love him so much. Some of the things my dad has taught me:

How to fish
How to cook
How to set up a tent
How to garden
How to budget
How to take care of myself
How to love others
How to serve others
How to find my faith
How to learn to love myself


Basically, half of what I am today, I owe to him. The other half goes to my mom (who is equally amazing, but I already did her Mother’s Day praise. I can do it again later though), with one tiny exception being video games (and general nerdiness), which I learned from my brother. 

Why, then, am I not buying him a present for Father’s Day?

Because I love him.

My dad doesn’t need another card or a gift to know my love for him and my appreciation for what he has done for me. All he needs is to see me happy and living my life. And I am living my life the way he taught me how to do it.

Without my dad, I would not be anywhere near the person I am today. What he has done for me can never be repaid. He is my rock and my support through everything. Whenever I need him, he is there, no question. How else could I show him the gratitude for the things he has done except by making him proud? At least, I hope I have made him proud.

Plus, my dad has always counseled me to use good judgement when buying stuff. Why would I go against that and buy a card he will only end up throwing away eventually? No card could adequately express how I feel anyway. Appreciation for my dad can only be told in my own words.  No one else can accurately tell him how I feel.

So Dad, I am sorry for this coming a day late. It’s the Peterson in me; can’t give a card on time to save my life. I love you and I am grateful for all of the lessons you have taught me. I do listen, even when you don’t think I am. I know we have our troubles communicating some times, but we always make up. I will always love you and I know you will always be there for me.

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