Father’s Day is usually a fun afternoon spent grilling, laughing at the hokey greeting cards, and chilling out with our parents, siblings, cousins, nieces and nephews.

But for some, it is a harrowing reality shock. Be aware that around you, there are those who… maybe last year, or some years back, lost that man who changed their oil or soothed their broken heart.

He is gone.

They celebrated Father’s Day with their dad for the last time in their past. And as that day approaches, that was meant to celebrate the biggest fan who never missed a game, that guy with the raucously loud laughter at a grandchild’s theater production, or the one who always rushed out of the building before the pictures were taken after a concert… you might be experiencing the raw pain that you had hoped was only going to be felt at his funeral.

It is strange to encounter Father’s Day without a father. My own Dad passed on to his beautiful eternity last August.

He was the Jack-of-all-trades, everyone's best friend and the first person I would call for advice. The loss of his voice, quirky demeanor, constant positivity, and quick but hilarious disapproval is not here. Those reactions and responses are all so gone.