Happy Father’s Day to all the dads, grandads, step, foster, uncles and all the guys that have stepped up. I know it’s especially tough if you’ve recently lost a dad and this is your first Father’s Day without him. It doesn’t necessarily get any easier, but like a good ballplayer, you make adjustments-especially if you aren’t a father yourself.

I don’t remember that first Father’s Day without Dad because I was lucky enough to have 4 of 5 uncles living at the time. However, I remember that last FD we had together because it was both typical of Dad and a completely unique day.

Instead of playing golf in a father-child outing, my sister joined us for a round of mini-golf in Lincolnwood (a first for both of them). We knew a 3-4 hour round of golf wasn’t feasible with Dad’s condition having just changed. As it turned out, a 47-minute round of mini golf in 200 degree weather was just long enough. Dad was able to give us putting pointers and we shared several laughs. It wasn’t how any of us expected to celebrate the day, but we had adjusted on the fly. We were easily the oldest trio on the course that day.

While most dads “dummy up” and will go with the flow, it might not be a bad idea to ask him what he’d like to do today, tonight or whenever you get together to celebrate.

I’ll be at a ballpark today, hopefully surrounded by Dads and their kids. I’m pretty sure I’ll dig into some of his favorite treats.

To all my friends and relatives, Have a wonderful day and thanks for doing what you do!