Relationships with your father come in all shapes and sizes. The spectrum goes from unconditional love to the hardship parental estrangement. Father’s Day can be a day of happiness or a day of sadness.
One activity we can suggest, no matter what your relationship with your father, is a visit to Camberwell Sunday Market – as a fun filled adventure or, as the case maybe, a bit of therapy.
The good thing about browsing the market with you dad is that conversation comes easily, but is not often needed. Sometimes just walking through the stalls you see things that make people say “remember that?”
Often it’s the times when words are unspoken that are precious, but discovering an old style family biscuit barrel, nicknack, or forgotten ornament from the family home can often be enough for a few spoken words and a flood of memories from decades gone by.
And then there’s those who have lost their parents, their Dad. It’s hard. Browsing the market with siblings or other family members can have a cathartic effect. “Remember Dad had an old tool box like that?” Again. Good memories can coming flooding back. A smell of grease mixed with petrol or thinners, if your Dad loved the garage.
Some of those memories may even be of the market. As we approach our 50th anniversary, that means that three or more generations of Melbournian families may have attended the market.
So as you enjoy the market this weekend, think not only of the millions of dollars raised from community projects or the millions of items recycled, reused or repurposed… think also of your Dad and the relationships built and strengthen by community that is Cambered Sunday Market.
Happy Father’s Day.
Camberwell Sunday Market 