The Young Royals and Daddy’s Day

A lotta June holidays — above all, there is Father’s Day on June 17, which too often gets down-shifted. And as we always remind ourselves on Mother’s Day, or any significant holiday, really, “Let it not be one day of remembering in a year of forgetting.”

And my greatest regret is not having enough time for my widowed dad, 44 years older than his only child. And he could not have been kinder, gentler — too much so really. But men often don’t share personal problems or sadness — not nearly enough. Yes, it is nature, but also nurture — societal in nature — and in need of a-changing. And I needed an intervention by kindred and friends to spend more — no, enough — time with my dad, whom I truly loved deeply. But even therapists rarely do that type of intervention – that too needs changing.

But above all, raise the value of fathers, fathering, paternal nurturing — and for society’s sake. And not least, in the White House — and not least with the young royals we’re discussing this column — to keep the peace, and yes, the world kind — the world kind.

June is, of course, for weddings. And the world sure did have a big one in May. And related to Father’ Day, the 74-year-old daddy of the bride wasn’t there due to a heart woe presumably brought on by a paparazzi chase, This safe traffic activist can’t help wishing the minister’s wedding speech about racial injustice might have also denounced the paparazzi’s reckless and lawless endangerment which killed the groom’s beloved mother. You recall how the whole world mourned — with even a service of remembrance in Central Park. But it did not challenge the cause.

Incidentally, most people become more concerned about safe traffic — safe everything when there are offspring to worry about. I said most and more. I don’t think Ralph Nader has children.

To stay with the royals. The newlyweds plan a Big Apple honeymoon trip, but here’s hoping time is soon spent with the bride’s father, who reportedly lives alone in Mexico. And until then, may they spend enough time on Skype until in an in-person visit. And we have a dream he’ll move to the UK. And so will the bride’s mother, and they’ll reconcile and live happily ever after in that multigenerational extended family. Indeed such arrangements in general should be encouraged — it takes a village, so nobody is left out.

But for now, how great, how connecting if the new royals revived the reach-out-and-touch-someone visits. And the groom’s grandparents, Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip (he needs more inclusion) will really love those calls and remember when long distance was only affordable for special occasions and emergency use. Ah, these beneficent phone calls can really bridge these family and friend divides when they’re frequent and lengthy enough and talk that matters is the main course. Forget the weather, and we don’t say “we’re fine,” when we’re not.

And clergy should be teaching those caring communication skills — intergenerational ones — so no one is left out – and Father’s Day will not be a day of remembering in a year of forgetting.

In loving tribute to your father and mine.

dewingbetter@aol.com