Father’s Day is more about family than cheap gifts

Gaudy ties. Cheap aftershave. Singing fish plaques. Golf tees in the form of a woman’s torso.

These are the stereotypical prizes claimed by stereotypical American dads on Father’s Day every June. Dads are bumbling louts who deserve some sort of begrudging recognition once a year, whether earned or not, goes one stereotype perpetuated by a sizable segment of the ubiquitous greeting card industry.

If your family is like mine, dads are difficult to shop for. My own father conceded as much in a recent conversation when he acknowledged that he really doesn’t have room for anything new and doesn’t actually need a thing that he doesn’t have. When I pointed out that I’m just as grateful when my own kids acknowledge me with their presence or a phone call on Father’s Day, he nodded in agreement.

So, I’m eagerly awaiting our family gathering on Sunday when my brothers and I gather at our parents’ house to treat Dad and Mom with our presence, assorted versions of various family stories and, of course, plenty of picnic/party food. With both of our parents well into their 80s, each such gathering is precious.

Father’s Day 2008 coincides with three family history offerings that will set you back a grand total of one cent, if you take advantage of them before they expire in a week. Check these out:

• Ancestry.com recently doubled the size of its historical newspaper collection - adding a billion names and 20 million images. You can check out Ancestry’s entire newspaper collection for free through June 19. Check it out here.
• You can order as many books at you want at genealogical.com and have them shipped to you via parcel post for one cent if ordered before midnight EDT on June 18. Check this offer out here.
• Do you use the Firefox browser? Even if you don’t, now might be a good time to switch. Although it’s always free, if you download the new Version 3 on its launch day on June 17, you might be part of a world-record effort. Sign up here.

Larry Lehmer is a personal historian who helps people write their own family histories. To learn more, visit his web site or send him an e-mail.

Photo: My Dad, Jack Lehmer, is flanked by his sisters Agnes and Phyllis with younger brother Calvin cutting up in front of them in this 1939 photo from the collection of lwlehmer.

Comments

[Pat]

What is Firefox and why would I want to download it? Advantages?

[Larry Lehmer]

Firefox is an open-source web browser that many people use instead of the browser king, Internet Explorer. I find Firefox to be easier, faster, safer and much more intuitive to use than IE. There are lots of opinions out there. Here's a link to one article on the IE-Firefox matter: http://www.networkworld.com/community/node/28845
There's lots more out there if you want to dig a little deeper, Pat.

[Brenda]

I'm surprised that you haven't mentioned family stories here as a gift! My Dad loves hearing them, and while that wasn't a father's day present, my siblings and I are putting together a PowerPoint slideshow that we intend to share -- will full narration -- at their 50th anniversary this August.

[Larry Lehmer]

Family stories make a great gift anytime, Brenda. That Powerpoint will be a big hit, I'm sure. Let us know if you make it available in cyberspace.