Looking back... Looking Forward on Father's Day
Growing up there were two men who were very influential in shaping me; My Dad, Robert Potts and my grandfather (Paw Paw) Potts. Paw Paw never met a stranger. I have some of that in me. Daddy wasn't quite as out-going as Paw Paw but he wasn't shy either. Daddy was a straight shooter. I've inherited some of that too. Daddy probably wouldn't have made it as a professional counselor. 
He was too straight forward. This is a 5th generation pic made of me, Paw Paw, Daddy, Granny Lillie (Paw Paw's Mom) and Robert. The pic ought to be reversed.. with Paw Paw and Daddy behind me...
He was too straight forward. This is a 5th generation pic made of me, Paw Paw, Daddy, Granny Lillie (Paw Paw's Mom) and Robert. The pic ought to be reversed.. with Paw Paw and Daddy behind me... 
Both Paw Paw and Daddy are deceased now and in the last year that hit me harder than I expected. As
I've dealt with that I've done a lot of reflecting.
My mind went back to the many times I went by Paw Paw's house leaving for college and he would tell me to go by Bobby Ray's store or Stantey Simmon's gas station and fill my car up with gas. I still miss him... not just because he filled my car up with gas but, he was an encourager... We had a lot in common.
As I think about Daddy... he was always there. Any time I had something on my mind or a decision to make, Daddy was there. For years, any time I was getting ready to move to another church or purchase a vehicle I would call him and get his advice. If he thought it was ok it always made me feel better. Some times we didn't agree. Many times I didn't like it but, looking back... he was right, 90% of the time.
Today, it's Saturday before Father's Day... Daddy is gone now. Paw Paw is too. As I've dealt with this, I've gotten closer to my uncle than I've been in a long time. He's Daddy's only sibling and yeah, I guess in my mind, he's Daddy... At least I'm hanging on to that.
This past week, my son Robert called us... Actually he "skyped" us... He has his first job... he has an office... His name is Robert James Potts.
Over at Kennessaw State, there is another Potts boy.. his name is William Kirk. Both Robert and Will are doing well. A little bit of Robert Earl and James Monroe Potts lives on in them.
On this Father's Day, as I miss my Dad and Paw Paw, as I get to know my Uncle, W.A. Potts better, I'm proud of my two sons; Robert and Will and their grandfather and great-grandfather would be proud of them too.
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