I remember seeing him come through the door after work every day. It was visibly noticeable that he was physically spent but he somehow found the energy to spend a little time with us at the end of each day and muster up a few smiles along the way. That navy blue pair of pants and matching button up shirt always carried the evidence of the day’s work. No doubt the winter months were always a welcome blessing in comparison to the blustering heat filled days of summer. Though I’ve never experienced it myself I’ve heard the heat inside a textile mill could be unbearable. Some years later he would change jobs and go from one extreme to another. He was no longer working with textile materials rather his days were surrounded by the blood and raw meat. No longer was he standing in heat all day, he was now working in freezers. I watched the effects it had over the years on his body. The man that once stood tall and strong has come to bend a little and he doesn’t have quite as much ‘pep’ in his step. I would have done anything to make his life easier all those years.  It wasn’t unusual to catch him lying on the floor at work under some random machine attempting to fix what should have been replaced years ago. I never heard him complain. He’s always been dependable, steady. and sure. He could (and still can) always be counted on to do what was expected and more. His work ethic was just as formidable at home. No time to stop. He just kept moving.

If you were looking for the ‘poster child’ of a life full of curveballs, search no further. He was the product of a broken home and has dealt with his share of life altering blows which included the tragic loss of his first wife in his 20’s. He was left with two little boys, 7 and 4 years, to raise on his own for a while and he did so as best he knew how. The man I’m talking about it my hero. Some call him Ronnie, Pastor Ron, he answers to ‘son,’ six little ones call him ‘Poppa’……..I am honored to call him Dad. Looking at Ronnie Rhodes is like looking in mirror that can predict the future. I am most definitely a watered down version (because there’s nothin’ like the real thang, baby! 🙂 ) of the man that is my Father. His sacrifice has made it possible for me to succeed. My body will probably never bear as much wear and tear as his because I haven’t had to work in such extreme environments nor complete the manual labor at a level that has always been expected of him. Was he perfect? No. Did he make mistakes? Of course. We all do. Will you find anyone who will work any harder or love their family any more than he does? Doubtful. Though he wasn’t able to get me everything I ever asked for I never went without food in my stomach, clothes on my back, and a roof over my head.  As good fathers become more extinct in our society I’m blessed to say that mine is still here (hopefully) for many years to come.

To my Dad I would like to publically say….thank you. Thank you for loving and caring for me even when I didn’t deserve it. Thank you for teaching me the hard lessons even when I didn’t want to hear what you had to say. Thank you for raising me in a Godly home and practicing what you preached (figuratively and literally) right in front of my eyes. Thank you for the sacrifices you have made so that Travis and I could have a better life. Thank you for the example you are to my children and others on the importance of living a life that is poured out unto God and used for kingdom purposes. It is my desire that you will be as proud of me as I have been to be called your son all these years. Happy Father’s Day!

I love you, Dad!

B