Forget the shirts and chocolates this Father’s  Day.  If your Dad  is aging  in place, there’s something much better you can give him .   Stop by his home and look around. Is there a flower bed that needs weeding? A broken screen door? A room that could use a coat of paint? If you’re able  to tackle one of those small jobs, that is the best gift for your aging Dad.

In our modern culture, many of us no longer have grown children living nearby. But what a blessing for those who do.  My husband’s three kids are close enough to help out with  occasional chores and home repairs.  Recently, one son replaced our mailbox after it collapsed on the driveway.  Another fixed a fallen down light pole.  And his sweet daughter planted geraniums in our window box and outdoor planters.  Her husband pitched in, too.  Removing a picture window that hadn’t been washed from the inside for years, then putting it back more securely in place. And best of all, a visit from a great grandchild. Those are the most wonderful Fathers Day presents any man could ask for.

A few elderly widows live along our street.  As we sit on our front porch, we see their children drive in the driveway.  I don’t know whether they are bringing food, doing laundry, or just visiting.  But they are making a big difference in their mother’s lives. Because of their help and loving concern, their parent  can stay in her own home.

This may not have seemed as important before the coronavirus hit.  But now, those  folks who moved to retirement communities were confined to their rooms for months.  Seniors living in their own homes had much more freedom and less fear of catching covid-19.

If and when the time comes that we need help with the ordinary activities of daily life, we will opt for assisted living. We don’t expect our children to be our caregivers.  But for now, we feel blessed by their kindness. And just knowing they are there for us means a lot.

The best gift for your aging Dad might be replacing that flickering florescent light bulb  in the kitchen. There’s a special place in heaven for those who look out for their elderly parents.

Happy Father’s Day!