It is HUMP DAY and day thirty of the 31 Days of Five Minute Free Writes Challenge. Two more days to go! Today’s word prompt is memory.
As soon as I read the word prompt for today my eyes began to fill with tears. My fondest memories outside of children are with my Daddy. My father, Henry Jones, Jr. went to be with the Lord in 2002. He had such a loving, kind spirit with a big booming voice. Our house brimmed with friends on various holidays because my Daddy knew everybody. Since he was in education for forty-one years, if he didn’t teach you or coach you, he still knew your family.
I was affectionately known as “The Jones Girl”. Riding around town sitting on the armrest of his deuce and a quarter (Buick Electra), with my arm around his shoulders….made life easy.
Daddy was the epitome of “Old School”.
He paid his bills with cash and always had some cash in his pocket. He put on his suit and tie for business conversations. Handwritten notes were important to him. I still have the letters he wrote to me in college with his near-perfect cursive writing. More than all of that, he was the king of “wise cliches”.
When I was a teenager, he said NO often.
I thought he was out of touch but he was spot on when he said:
I could not go to the mall and walk around with a large group of other teenagers because: “If one of those kids steals something you will be guilty by association“.
Getting a credit card in college when the reps were giving out candy bars if you signed up was a NO GO because: “You don’t have a job. If you use their card to purchase something and you can’t pay them when the bill comes…those people are gonna talk to you like a dog. Paying your bills is like giving someone your word. Your word is your bond“.
Christmas would be here before I knew it if I stopped counting down the days because: “All things happen in their time. It will feel like forever if you sit and watch for it. A watched pot never boils“.
There was no need to get defensive and loud to tell my side of the story because: “The person who is the loudest and fastest to defend themselves is usually guilty. A hit dog will holla.”
Aim high but don’t fear failure. “Even if you don’t achieve your original goal, you can still do some great things. Shoot for the moon, even if you miss…you will be among the stars.”
I’m so thankful God chose Henry Jones, Jr. to be my Daddy. What an intentional God we serve.
Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6
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You are so blessed to have an earthly daddy. He sounds so wise and loving.
Blessed indeed!!!
Henry Jones, Jr. was indeed a wise and a good man. When my mom and dad separated, Henry, who was my cousin, became my derogate dad. His guidance and words of wisdom helped me to become who I am today. So much of what he taught me still lives within my day to day actions. Katina, you were blessed to have had an awesome father and I know his watches over you with pride in the woman you have become.
Cousin D
Awwww thanks cousin!!! He was very special!
Mr. Jones watched over me like an angel on earth! He was a family friend, teacher, coach and yes–earth angel! I walked to school from 1st grade through 11th. I never walked in the rain. Mr. Jones was always available to pick me up. “Half Pint” is what he called me. He always said to us giggle boxes, an empty wagon makes the most noise, So, listen so you can learn.” The same holds true today. I learned to listen and use my listening skills and intuition to help others realize their potential and solve their problems. Katina, he’s ever present and his sweet spirit will be with us forever. You were so small when you sat in the middle, in the front seat of that 225! I remember!! ❤