Father's Day was the result of a disaster. In December 1907, the town of Monogah, W.V., experienced what was described as "the worst mining disaster in American history."  Reports indicated that 361 men died in an explosion that rocked two mines simultaneously.

The next year, Grace Golden Clayton, of  nearby Fairmont, asked her pastor, Dr. Robert Webb, of the Williams Memorial Methodist Episcopal Church, to hold a day of memory for the men killed in the mine disaster. Dr. Webb led the observance on July 5, 1908 at the church, which now is named Central United Methodist Church.

A year later, Sonora Smart Dodd of Spokane, Wash., was listening to a Mother's Day sermon in July, 2009 at the Central Methodist Episcopal Church.  Her thoughts turned to her father, William Jackson Smart, a Civil War veteran who had raised her and her siblings.  She wanted to arrange a tribute to him.  Because William was born in June, she worked to have the first Father's Day celebrated on June 19, 1910. Ms. Dodd also pressed to establish an official Father's Day observance to honor all fathers.
In 1924, President Calvin Coolidge recommended that Father's Day become a national holiday.
President Johnson officially designated the third Sunday of June to be Father's Day in 1966. However, it was not until 1972 that President Nixon instituted Father's Day as a national observance.
The beginnings of the Father's Day observance are a reminder the day is more than just recognizing someone who shared in our procreation. It is recognizing and honoring someone who made - and makes - a positive contribution to the lives of his children. That takes more effort than just helping create a life.

Father's Day is a time to honor and remember the love, encouragement and positive influence our fathers have on our lives. It matters not if one is a biological or a non-biological father. What matters is what "Dad" contributes to the lives of his children.  Even fathers not living with their children can maintain connection with his children and continue to love and encourage and support them.

On this Father's Day, I remember my Dad and the particular ways he demonstrated his love and hope and support for his children. I also remember my children, and the ways that I loved them as they grew - and the ways I can continue to love and encourage them in their adulthood. I still am their Dad!

May this be a time for us to honor our fathers.  May it also be a time when we who are fathers can resolve to continue to love and care for our children.