Father’s Day, which we will observe this Sunday, celebrates the multiple roles fathers play in their children’s lives, including being heroes, protectors and role models.
With the day fast approaching, several fathers in Jackson said they learned their how to be good fathers from their experiences with their own fathers.
“Having the opportunity to look back and pull things from my father while incorporating some of my own is important to me,” said Dustin Lee Carney of Ridgeland. “… Moving forward can’t be done without your roots.”
Carney said one of his favorite moments as a father was finding out he and his wife were having their first child.
“Kids are a true blessing from God, and we got our blessing with our baby girl Grace,” Carney said. “If there was any advice I could give to soon-to-be fathers, I would say expect the unexpected.”
The Rev. Walter Johnson Jr., 59, of Madison said Father’s Day is special in a dual way.
“For one I am a proud father,” Johnson said. “Secondly, I honor my father before me.”
Johnson said his father taught him and his four brothers how to be a good father through his example of putting his children before himself.
“I choose to honor my kids because they are blessings and other fathers should, too,” Johnson said. “One must never neglect or abuse their position when it comes to their children. To be a great father one must walk by faith and not by sight. Anybody can be a dad, but it takes a lot to become a father.”
Emmitt Shumate, 79, of Jackson said his father taught him how to endure as a man and he still uses that as his motto today.
Shumate said he has experienced many hardships in his life, but he never forgot the lessons his father taught him.
“From being broke, to losing some jobs, I can honestly say what my father gave me was enough to keep me going,” Shumate said. “Not only do I still fight, but I’ve also taught my kids how to fight. It would mean the world to me if they could come home for Father’s Day. The advice I will give to soon-to-be fathers is to stay in your kid’s life regardless of the circumstances, especially at a young age.”
Father’s Day can be celebrated in more than one way such as sending postcards, going to local restaurants for dinner, grilling under a community pavilion or going on a road trip.
Brandon Leaks, 32, of Jackson said he would love for his wife and children to take him on a trip to the mountains for Father’s Day.
“For the last two years, I’ve been hinting that I wanted to go to the mountains in Tennessee,” Leaks said. “This would be the perfect Father’s Day gift to me, but whatever I receive I will be grateful for.
“Father’s Day to me is about reminiscing on what you’ve accomplished as a father. Family, foundation and legacy are essential and I believe every father or soon-to-be father needs to adopt that.”
Leaks said he doesn’t have a favorite moment as a father, but being a father is a great honor within itself.
Maurice McIntyre, 49, of Jackson said the advice he would give to soon-to-be fathers is to be attentive to their children.
“Being honest and teaching your kids the reality of life can go a long way,” McIntyre said. “Living a life that adds up to what you teach them is valuable also.”
McIntyre said choosing one of his favorite Father’s Day moments is complicated because he enjoys them all.