Father's Day After Dad is Gone

Father’s Day feels differently when your dad is no longer here. The advertising, the aisles of every store lined with cheesy gifts, the cards, the social media posts — they all feel like reminders of a hole that can’t be filled.

It’s not just a day anymore. It's an aching reminder that your go to mechanic, your biggest golf competition, your role model, or whatever role your dad filled best, is not just a phone call away anymore. The day also becomes a reflection of memories, of laughter that once echoed in the kitchen, of advice shared in quiet car rides, and of moments you wish you could have back, even for a minute.

Grief doesn’t take holidays off. But neither does love. It may feel like another loss to celebrate a Father's Day after dad is gone.

This Father’s Day, instead of buying a card, sit with his memory, or visit a memorial or burial spot. Maybe you decide to play his favorite song or cook something he used to make. Maybe the right path is to just be still and let the feelings come. There’s no right way to do this, except what feels right for you. Just the way that keeps him close.

If you’re missing your dad today and everyday, know you’re not alone. It's okay to feel the sadness — it’s proof of how much he meant. And still means. Your grief, and your father figure, are not forgotten.

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