Tribute to my father

One thing I’m happy to say about Phillips County is that it values family.

I don’t care what they say, a child needs a good mother, but even more than that they need a good father.

A father, in a perfect world provides stability, protection and a loving household.

The last few decades many men that have had children have fallen short of the title “father.”

The father is a person who sets a tone. He leaves a legacy. He loves his wife fiercely and would give anything to see his family thrive.

I am lucky enough to have a father like that.

My dad always looked out for our best interest. No matter what he is a faithful dad that would give my brothers or me the shirt off his back.

My father would go through a burning fire to save our family from the flames and die trying.

My father was the type of father that read us stories at night, even after a hard day of work.

Dad may not have had all of the answers, but he would always lend a helping hand to lead us along the way.

Dad was tough when he had to be tough. I got a few spankings, but I know and realize without a doubt it was for my own good. Don’t get it twisted if you spare the rod, your child will be spoiled and unruly.

“Fear is the only thing some people understand,” a good friend of mine told me one day.

The fear of dad disciplining me after he got off of work, made life a little easier for my mother.

One of the things I respect most of my father is that when he was wrong, he wasn’t proud enough to admit his faults.

I owe everything that I am to dad. I got my personality, charisma and loving heart from him.

While many young boys and girls didn’t have the luxury of a father, I did.

In a world where many African Americans were left by their father, my dad never left… Except to go to work.

I’ve never ever known a man to love his wife as much as my dad loves my mother. Don’t be weird.

Dad’s barbecue can’t be beat and he even had the patience to cook with charcoal, every time. (Some things are just worth it.)

I remember one-time kids were picking on me at school… The first thing he did was ask if I was okay… Then he looked at the other guys.. I won.

My dad taught me never to pick fights, but always told me to finish them.

I love you dad, and wish you could be here in Malta with mom as well.

My mother did make the trip to Malta and will be here for the next week or so…

The good news is that she loves our small town and even though I’ve been working most of the time she’s been here, my wife Susan have been having a great time, even without the internet!

I’m pretty sure Susan now knows more about my childhood than I know about my childhood.

Speaking about childhood, let’s get back to father’s day.

If you have a father that is physically, mentally and or spiritually with you, make sure you let him know how much you care for him.

Father’s day shouldn’t be a day everyone forgets, but a day that we rejoice with the guy that created you. Or the guy that is raising you or has raised you as his own.

Here’s to you pops! I hope I can be half the dad you were.