Dear Counsel,

Last June, I was in Barbados with a number of friends and I remember we were all sitting around a fire pit enjoying some wine and talking about our families and Father’s Day which was the following day. One of my dear friend’s related to me that she had not seen her father in many years due to the fact that her new stepmother had caused a terrible alienation in the relationship. Despite the alienation, she had resolved that she was going to call her father and make plans to see him come what may. The conversation then shifted to me and frankly, I had completely forgotten that Father’s Day was the next day. My friend said, “hop to it and get the next flight to Florida!” And in just a few seconds I was lit up with inspiration, I was going to catch the next flight possible. Little did I know that the next flight would be at 5 am but I grabbed it. And you know I wouldn’t just do that for anyone. I think what fueled me at the moment was my personal “why” to go home. The next day, I found myself in sunny Boca Raton, Florida and celebrating Father’s Day with my Dad and family.

Making that split second decision to go home felt like one of the most adventurous and spontaneous trips I have ever taken. And for that matter, one that I will continue to treasure over the coming years. As for my friend, she made that phone call and shortly thereafter found herself on a plain en route to Toronto, Canada.

Wow, what a win!

So this year is different. I will not be getting on a flight to Florida. And part of the reason is for the protection and well being of my parents. For many of us, it will be a phone call, a facetime, a zoom or maybe even just a card. For some of us, it may just be about blessing the memory of our departed parent. However you may be celebrating Father’s Day, I hope that it carries a level of meaning and significance for you.

I’m quite proud of my dad and I’m still amazed at the magnificent life he leads as a father, husband, spiritual leader, athlete and the author of his most recent, sixth published book of short stories which he commenced writing at the age of 80. I hope he writes many more books. In the introduction of his latest book, The Third Mountain, he shares his gratitude for having been able to complete this book during this horrible pandemic. If there is one thing I want to say about my father, it is that I have always found him to live with a sense of optimism, purpose and hope for humanity.

I extend my heartfelt wishes to each and everyone of you for a meaningful Father’s Day weekend.

Love and Blessings! ❤️

Samson
Fresh in from Barbados. Made it for Father’s Day!
My father grew up in the Bronx. His passion as a child was playing stick ball in the streets and then he moved onto high-school & college basketball. Amazingly, he can still make a free throw and his athletic passion these days is competing against players half his age on the racquetball courts.
My father, Charles, is married for 56 years to the love of his life, Deborah. My dad quips that he has four children, one of each. They’re still trying to figure out where I came from. They are also the proud grandparents of five lovely kids.