Dads, father figures, granddads often taught many of us how to be prepared for the unexpected, how to handle some of life’s challenges. We might have learned from our dads how to change a flat tire, how to mow a lawn, or how to use basic tools. Whatever he may have taught you, you listened and learned. Looking back on those times, you are grateful for those cherished memories. This time of year, we think about those moments and pause with a smile.
If you are fortunate to still have these special dads or granddads in your lives, you might be thinking what can possibly be done to let them know how much they mean to your family. You can start by doing two things; help them be prepared in an emergency with creating a “File of Life” and show them how much their life story really matters to you.
A “File of Life” is typically a document that lives on the refrigerator and is available to emergency responders when they enter one’s home. It includes basic information including name, date of birth, allergies, emergency contacts, list of current medications, health conditions, surgeries, primary doctor, and preferred hospital. If your father has a DNR (Do Not Resuscitate) order, it must be with his file too. If using a file like pictured below, it is best to write in pencil, so it can be updated about every 6 months or when something changes. It is helpful to take it to one’s annual wellness exam or yearly physical. When seconds count, this gift can save his life.
With a little encouragement, your father can give you a meaningful gift this Father’s Day too. Sometimes the men in our lives are the historians, the gatekeepers of the family stories, the one who remembers all the funny times. There isn’t a better time than now, to have him write down his legacy. The gift of a written or recorded legacy is invaluable and will be cherished for decades to come. It can be a special family time where the young ones in the family participate, ask the questions, even write it down. Or for those who want to do it on their own, there are books, online tools, and various self-guided workbooks to get started. No matter what way you choose to collect the information, the process alone creates valuable memories.
This Father’s Day carve out some time and do something special with it! Take time to help your dad create his “File of Life” and encourage and help him to record the story of his life for future generations.
