Something Good Out Of Grief: Oklahomans Honor Their Late Dads On Father’s Day

Oklahomans who have lost their dads shared how they continue to honor their legacy and memory on Father’s Day.

I understand that a story about grief might not fit into everyone's definition of the "Something Good" brand. 

We don't always choose the things that happen to us in life though and sometimes, something good comes out of the remembering. Sometimes something good comes out of being grateful for the time we were given even if we wish we would've had more, even if we wish that time had been different.

I lost my dad, Joel, in a car accident in 2021.

He loved me so deeply that you, a complete stranger, can probably feel that love through this photo and it was taken more than a decade ago. My dad had his flaws, he had his strengths, but I never questioned his love for me, not once.

I saw that same love in the eyes of fathers, daughters, and sons who wrote to me telling me how they honored their dads this Father's Day, when their dads weren't alive to celebrate with them.

Gina Locust said her father, Chester McGirt, passed away from COVID in July. He loved funnel cakes, so her family took one to his grave on Father's Day.

Johnna Hayes said she had a complicated relationship with her father but says her love for him outweighs any anger she carried. She spent the day remembering his compassion, his musical talents, and his beautiful charm. 

Brittany Nicole said her dad took his life in 2017. She got together for a cookout to talk about him while celebrating the other dads in the family.

Evelyn Standingwater said her dad passed in 2014. They spent Father's Day grilling in his honor and watching some of his favorite movies like Twister.

Stephen Luther said his dad was a huge Kansas City Royals fan- Sunday afternoon he watched the Royals v Red Sox game knowing, he said, that his dad had the best seat watching from Heaven.

So maybe Father's Day does feel a little like grief for some of us, but even grief means there was love.

If you would like to read all the Father's Day stories sent into Sawyer, click here.