But that was about it. The way we looked at it, we were just so darn good all year long, why do anything too special on a holiday created to sell more greeting cards?

It never seemed to bother him much. At least, he never complained about it ... not to me, anyway. But it's much different with my boys. Oh, they pretty much ignore Father's Day, much like I did. The difference is—I let them know it!

Thank goodness I'm not so mature that I can't whine and complain loud enough to let them know my disappointment when they forget Dad's big day. Unfortunately, the guilt factor probably won't kick in until they're older. Now they just laugh at me.

The more I whine, the funnier they think it is. So now they've gotten to the point that they get me nothing just to see my reaction—then they laugh like crazy.

Funny guys.

So I'm not expecting much this Sunday. Much? I'm not expecting anything. Not even a Giants T-shirt (that's an XL if you're listening, boys). Not even a plate of bacon and eggs (turkey bacon and scrambled Egg Beaters, of course). Not even a lousy card (how's that for whining?). Nothing.

The youngest caught me by surprise the other night, though. I had just walked in the door from work, and he said, "Dad, what do you want for Father's Day?" He must have just seen a Hallmark commercial on TV, but still I was stunned.

"Oh, buddy, you don't have to get me anything," I said in that "aw shucks" voice that means "You better get me something good."

"Save your money," I said selflessly, hoping that he could read between the lines.

(One of those chocolate ties at See's doesn't sound too bad.)

"Just get me a card."

(And maybe slip a couple of A's box seat tickets inside.)

"And maybe just a little breakfast in bed."

(Yeah, like a bed at the Toll House Hotel!)

"I know!" he blurted, and ran off up the stairs.

Hey, maybe he got the message after all. I couldn't help but snicker as I quietly followed to see what he was up to. I found him in my closet checking out my tie rack. Great. Just what I wanted ... another tie. And there's a pretty good chance it won't be chocolate.

But then, what should I expect? I treated my dad the same way. I used to get him ties for Father's Day, and he didn't even wear a tie to work! He must have been thrilled.

I remember one year I bought him something special. Mom helped me get him a carton of cigarettes. Now there's a real healthy and sensible gift! Hey, it was 1957 ... who knew?

It's almost 40 years later, and we know better than to give our loved ones tobacco products. Chocolate, on the other hand, is always welcome.

Of course, the best Father's Day gift I could hope for would just be to spend the day with my two boys. Who could ask for a better gift than that?

So that's what I've asked for this year.

It made me think that maybe that's what my dad would have liked, too. He just never knew quite how to ask.

I sure wish he had.

Want to talk? Call me at 408.354.3110, ext. 31, or drop me a note at dsparrer@svcn.com.