My dad was a tall handsome man.

One of my very first memories of me and my dad together is of us walking in downtown Gainesville on the square. I had my tiny little hand wrapped around his one long middle finger and my short little legs struggled to keep up with his six-foot, four-inch stride.

I remember when I was a girl my daddy never had to whip me because just knowing I had disappointed him was punishment enough. I loved him so.

Daddy loved to play softball and he could slam out a homerun like it was easy. He enjoyed watching the Atlanta Braves and was a faithful Braves fan even when they were in a losing streak.

He was a hard worker, a loom fixer in the mill. He worked all the shifts first, second and third before he worked his way up to supervisor.

Daddy always had a side business going– buying and selling. Watermelons and produce, cars, golf-carts you name it. He loved to buy and sale and the money he made from it paid for vacations every year to Jekyll Island for his family.

Clyde Jackson wasn’t a rich man but he gave all he could when anyone was in need. He loaned money knowing sometimes he wouldn’t get the money back. He had a generous heart.

My daddy wasn’t perfect, like most of us he made many mistakes. He had his own personal demons he struggled with, but I know if he could come back and change some things he would.

No matter where I or my brother were at in our life, he always supported us. My daddy truly loved us unconditionally and for that I am extremely grateful. We disappointed him many times, but he never gave up on us.

Today marks the twenty-year anniversary of my dad’s death he has missed so much. In three months, I will be the age he was when he passed. There have been so many times I needed his advice. There haven’t been any more family vacations to Jekyll and for that my heart breaks.

A father is worth more than his mistakes in life. A father is worth the generosity and love he brings to those around him.