Small Town Southern Man

I have always loved Southern Men or at least the notion of a Southern Man. I think they are a dying breed. You know the man who says, "Yes Ma'am, No Ma'am , Yes Sir, No Sir.!" The kind of man who holds open doors and knows how to two-step.

Alan Jackson has a new song out that I love and every time I hear it I think of my dad, the man who probably instilled in me the love for a Southern Man. The chorus is as follows:

He bowed his head for Jesus

and he stood for Uncle Sam

and he only loved one woman

was always proud of what he had.

He said his greatest contribution was the ones he'll leave behind

Raised on the ways and gentle kindness of a Small Town Southern Man.

My dad was the one who taught me the importance of prayer. I have walked into his bedroom countless times as a child and throughout my teenage years to find him on his knees praying to his Father in Heaven. I wonder how many of those prayers were for his daughters. Quite a few I suppose.

My dad served in the military and was proud of that fact. I loved when he would reminisce about his time in the service. The flag that was laid on his coffin now sits on my book shelf. It's one of my most cherished possessions.

I always knew what true love looked like because my dad loved my mom. They might not have always liked each other but my dad left no doubt in his daughters minds that he loved their mother. I'm so grateful for that. I knew that one could fall in love for life because of a dad's example.

My dad was always proud of what he had. He came from very little and truly appreciated the blessing the Lord sent his way. Another lesson I learned from my dad was to work hard, save your pennies, and appreciate your blessings.

There's no doubt in my mind that my dad would say that his greatest contribution to this world was his girls. He always expressed his love for us and in a world where fathers don't always do that I am grateful to KNOW my dad loved my sisters and I and was pleased with our station in life. I am also grateful that my dad and so willingly showed love to his grandchildren.

I was truly raised on the ways and gentle kindness of a Small Town Southern Man.

Alan Jackson ends his song with the following verse:

Finally death came calling for this Small Town Southern Man.

He said, "It's alright because I see angels and they got me by the hand.

Don't you cry and don't you worry I'm blessed and I know I am.

Cause God has a place in heaven for a Small Town Southern Man."

I can't begin to express how good it does my heart to know that there's a place in heaven for my dad. I'm more than grateful to know that I'll see my dad again. The time between now and then still breaks my heart, but my heart is also full of love for my Father in Heaven for preparing a plan that allows families to continue on even after this life.

Now isn't it easy to see how one can love a Small Town Southern Man.