“Life is a mixture of sunshine and rain, teardrops and laughter, pleasure and pain.”

— Helen Steiner Rice

The weather is tipping from spring to summer and that is a song everyone is looking forward to. Summer is a time of pure growth, full of leafing and blooming. As spring becomes summer, we look to sun and shade.

Every morning I go out to a surprise in my tiny flower bed. There is always an island of colored scents. The early June sunshine warms my shoulders as I deadhead the plants. The fresh breeze, carrying a faint floral scent, gently touches me. I feel like kissing the wind as it circles around me, and pulling in a deep breath, I think, “What a delightful day!”

Next Sunday is the first day of summer. It is also Father’s Day, and that is one subject I would like to discuss in this column.

A child saying “That’s my dad!” is what Father’s Day is all about.

The relationship between a child and parent is woven from simple, treasured, day-to-day closeness that comes from living together as a family. A lifetime of memories is created. A great deal is expected of fathers and as society hurdles into the future, there are many, many changes in family life. We see it every day.

The prevalence of divorce and the absence of men at war have led many people in our society to consider fathers unnecessary. All people are valuable and that includes fathers. Like all parents who are away from their children, they miss them, love them and think of them often. A parent’s love goes with you everywhere you go. Although a father may no longer hold you in his arms, he will carry you in his heart each day of your life.

Stop and think of the reasons you can be thankful for Dad. Father’s Day is the perfect time to express your gratitude and love for him.

In addition to Father’s Day, June is also a time for graduating. This time of year, there are many students graduating from high school and college. Graduation parties are fun and well-earned for graduates and their supportive parents, who encouraged them through the years.

For the graduate, life is a journey through time filled with many choices. There will be challenges to face. There will be times of struggle. There will be days filled with frustration and unexpected responsibilities.

But it is also important to remember that graduation is a time to start down the path you have always wanted to travel.

— Zaffie Hadiaris of Saco is the host of “Zaffie,” a weekly television talk show on Channel 3 Biddeford public access. It can also be seen at biddefordmaine.org. Contact Hadiaris at [email protected].