Today I was at the shopping centre and I spent a lot of time reading the Father’s Day cards. But as I chose and read, and chose and read again, it seemed that not a single card said what I really wanted to say to you.

You’ll soon be 84 years old, Dad, and you and I will have had 56 Father’s Days together. I didn’t think that you were too old. But the sad thing happened last week. I watched as you turned at the corner in your car. I didn’t realize at once that it was you because the man who was driving looked so elderly.

Fifty years ago this spring, we planted carrots together in a garden in Charles City, Iowa. This week, we’ll plant carrots together again, perhaps for the last time but I hope not. I don’t understand why planting carrots with you is so important to me. Well, I don’t quite know how to tell you this, dad…I don’t like carrots…but I like planting them with you.

I guess what I am trying to say, Dad, is what every son and daughter wants to say to their dad today. Praising a father on Father’s Day is about more than a dad who brings home money or shares a dinner. It’s more about a dad deeply loving children who know everything and won’t listen to anyone. It’s about sharing. It’s about loving someone more than words can say, and I wish that it would never end.

Lover,

Jenny

Communication plays an important role in developing the relationship between family members. Family communication is much different from formal communication. Here are some practical tips to make the communication more effective (有效的).

Negative words will do no good but destroy the warm atmosphere of family communication. Actually, saying too many negative words will kill the mood, and hence lead to unhappiness. Remember that positive communication is much more effective than criticism.

Apart from verbal communication, non-verbal expression is also advised in daily communication with family members. Sometimes facial expressions or body language can convey more love and care. A kiss, a hug, a smile or a look of appreciation can tell more than words can do.

It is known to everyone that being clear and gentle is the rule applicable (适用的) to any communication. Therefore, in order to avoid unnecessary misunderstandings, do not leave blanks for family members to assume. If you want to say something to your parents or siblings (兄弟姐妹), make your point clear in the most pleasing way.

In a post shared on Twitter last Monday, the woman, Amy Clukey, explained that her dad, a beekeeper, died of lung cancer about nine years ago. But, before passing away, he wrote a note that he hoped one of his children would later find, and finally after so long, her little brother, who is now 16 years old, found it in his father’s beekeeping clothes.

The note said, “I hope one of my children is curious about beekeeping. Beekeeping is actually pretty easy and you can learn everything online. So don’t be afraid, have courage. Good luck. Love Dad.”

Amy explained that her father bought a farm when he was in his 40s, and it was then that he took up beekeeping and other hobbies like raising cattle and horses. She added, “When he was diagnosed(诊断) with stage 4 lung cancer, the doctors told him that he had 18 months to live. He was a fighter. He lived 5 years and a week after his diagnosis.”

The post has received over 42, 800 likes, 2,333 comments, and 749,000 re-shares in less than 24 hours, and in the comments, the woman added that while she doesn’t do beekeeping herself, two of her brothers are interested in it.

One user commented, “I lost my dad in 2018. This post makes me cry.” And another user said, “My dad is in the last few weeks of his life battling cancer. I’ll come back to the post in a couple of months when I need it again.” And one also shared the story of her personal loss, writing, “I lost my husband half a year ago. He used to leave little notes all over the house. I can’t bring myself to move anything.”