This Sunday will be Father’s Day, the day Americans honor and pay tribute to their fathers. 

Father’s Day has its roots in a celebration in Washington state in 1910. A woman named Sonora Smart Dodd wanted to honor and celebrate her father, William Smart, who was a hero in her estimation. He was a Civil War veteran and a single parent, who raised her and her five younger brothers after his wife died in childbirth.

That first celebration in Washington didn’t become a national holiday until President Lyndon Johnson signed a presidential proclamation in 1966 assigning the third Sunday in June as Father’s Day. Even then, it wasn’t widely recognized until President Nixon made it a permanent holiday in 1972.

Father’s Day is a big day for Hallmark with 72 million cards sold each year. Half of those are purchased for fathers and 20% are given to husbands. And although we’ll spend about $12.7 billion for gifts and cards for Dad, our spending still takes second place to what we spend on our mothers ($21 billion). 

So, what to do for Dad on Father’s Day? It depends on your father, of course. In our house, my husband prefers a special meal at home. But it still might be a good idea to take Dad out for dinner. If you don’t know what to get him, a gift card is always appropriate.

Sadly, there are some people who don’t have a good relationship with their father if they have any relationship at all. And there are those of us whose fathers have passed away. What about us? 

Because both my parents have passed away, I have long made it a practice to “adopt” a parent on those two special days, someone who doesn’t have family close. If you decide to try doing that, I suggest you buy a boutonniere for “your” man on Father’s Day. You might want to include a card and a small gift. 

I usually choose someone from my church, but we have a variety of options available right here in Pell City. Diversicare of Pell City (205-338-3329) or Oak Circle Assisted Living in Pell City (205-884-4663) could connect you with someone to whom you could be a blessing.

Another option is the Colonel Robert L. Howard State Veteran’s Home in Pell City (205-227-7985). I can’t think of a better way to celebrate Father’s Day than to share part of it with one of our heroes at the Veteran’s Home in Pell City.

For any of those options, be sure you call first and find out what you are allowed to give your “adoptee.” The staff at these places can also connect you with someone most in need of your generosity. 

Whether you celebrate Father’s Day with your husband and kids, your own father or an adopted father, do something to celebrate the men in your life. And keep in mind the best gift of all and the one they will cherish the most is the gift of your time.