When I was in middle school, one of our art lessons was to carve a very porous grill brick into something spectacular. Using paring knives, my classmates and I were deep in concentration making masterpieces with a material that emitted the odor of rotten eggs. Mine, though just as foul smelling, was of a more simple design. Not being as artistically gifted, I simply carved D-A-D into my brick. I gave it to my father for Father's Day, ashamed and embarrassed at the simplicity and lopsidedness of the carving. My dad, on the other hand, treasured it as if it were the most precious piece of art. I never expected him to keep it, yet he proudly displayed it on his dresser for many years, until it finally succumbed to the elements and disintegrated. It was not a thing of beauty, but it was a token of love given and accepted with grace.
Father's Day is a day to honor not only fathers, but all men who have acted as father figures. I was a little surprised when my son's 1st grade teacher said that she would send my son to the library when the class made their Father's Day presents. When I asked why, the teacher replied "Because he doesn't have a father and I wouldn't want to embarrass him." I thanked her for her consideration, and gently reminded my son that although that was true, he most certainly had a Papa! Over the years, I've encountered many different family situations. As Montessori teachers, we should encourage the children to celebrate their own family makeup and give respect to their families. Most often there is a father figure in a child’s life who can be honored on a day such as Father’s Day.
