by Jonathan Webb

Created on: June 20, 2009

My father was in his late 40s when I was born. He had already lived a very full life and raised my brother and two sisters before I came along. My mom and dad were probably tired and not ready to do it all over again with me. It was a different time, different generation, but they did a great job. I am sure being with me kept them young!

My dad is not a sports fan. He does not watch a lot of t.v. He spends a lot of his time reading and studying the bible. He is a pastor and has been since he was 20 years old. He is not fake, superficial, or stuffy like a lot of spiritual people I know. He loves his family and those around him with a genuine love. When times are hard, he leans even harder on his faith. People see that and seek him out for advice and support. So many times I have watched people come by our house to spend time with dad. He gave all he had to help them in their time of need.

My dad has endured his share of heart aches. Watching both of his parents pass away, struggling to make ends meat financially most of his life, and having the very people in the church he cared about turn their backs on him. I cry thinking about all that he has been through and yet am thankful for his example to me through all of that. He has had opportunities to lash out at those who have hurt him. Instead of doing that, he prays for them and never says a bad word. I clench my jaw and say things I shouldn't, dad just smiles and stays the 'bigger man' in the situation.

My dad never asks for recognization, never wanted the spotlight. He went about his life to be the best person he could be to those he came in contact. I hope I can be just half the dad to my son. There are so many things he did and still does that make me proud to call him dad. He has never given me a reason to be ashamed of my name.

Dad, you are my hero. You have stayed strong in the face of extreme circumstances. When others would have thrown in the towel, you keep pushing forward because you knew it was the right thing to do. Thank you for loving mom for 55 years and still treating her like your princess. Thank you for coming to all my sporting events even though you aren't a sports fan. Thank you for being an example to everyone in the community. Thank you for being a person of faith that actually means what they say. Thank you for loving me and supporting me. I love you dad.

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