Dad

Dad



This is dedicated to the greatest man that I have ever known. And I have known him longer than any other man. My dad! Today he will work his final shift at Coca Cola. This is not ordinary retirement from a job. This is retirement from a lifelong career. You see, dad started at Coke in 1971! Yep, you read that correctly; 1971. 46 years at one company. But this isn’t about his retirement. It’s about his life.

My dad is the epitome of a man. When I do premarital counseling I recall who dad is when talking to the husband-to-be. Priest, provider, protector. This is my dad.

Protector: I have always felt safe when dad was around. Always. As a matter of fact, the reason I fear almost nothing today is because I never learned it from dad. I don’t remember him worrying. I just remember him being him. Rock solid. Always the same!

Provider: I’m not just talking about bringing home the bacon. Which, honestly, with more time I could explain that he actually did bring home the bacon. He provided stability. My dad was always the same. He smiles a lot. He laughs a lot. He loves hard. He also provided financially. I remember him coming home still in his Coke uniform and throw football or shoot basketball with me. I remember spending Saturdays cutting firewood so we could have heat. Dad provided. Plain and simple.

Priest: There isn’t enough space on the expanse of the internet to explain the importance of dad’s example here. Dad never preached. I don’t know if he ever taught a Sunday School class or not. But he was always leading as a man of integrity. He is faithful to his faith. When I was starting RIO 180, I was choosing an Advisory Board to, well, advisory. I spoke with Pastor Ronnie about some reservations that I was having putting my dad on the Board. I explained that the only reservation was that he was my dad and I didn’t want anyone suggesting that dad wouldn’t hold me accountable. Pastor Ronnie said this and I will never forget it, “Jay is one of the best, Godliest men that I know. Him and your mom live what they believe. There isn’t a better candidate.” And he went on to explain that it would be foolish to not glean from the wisdom of such a man.

So there is dad. I help my wife because I never saw dad expect mom to wait on him. I clean house because I never saw my dad sitting without helping. I cook because if dad got home first in the evening he started supper. I have tried to be a great dad because the example that I was given weighed on me day and night. I drink Coca Cola and only Coca Cola because (you can verify this with Doug and Becky), “those clothes on your back son, Coke bought them. That food you ate tonight, Coke bought that. This house and your bed you sleep in, Coke bought that.” Well, for the first time that I can remember in my 46 years I will have to say, Dad, you are wrong! Coke never bought that stuff for me; you did! Coke was just the vehicle that you rode to make it happen. And you made it happen!

It was a good ride with great and not-so-great memories. Those early Coca Cola picnics were awesome. Seeing the bottling operation in Maryville was one of my early highlights. When I worked part time at Coke, I thought that I had arrived. I remember when they closed Maryville and moved you to Knoxville and the way they treated you. I wanted to go burn the place down. But you didn’t quit. You continued working and being a man of integrity and God rewarded your faithfulness. Coke will take a hit this afternoon because the best man I know will leave the company.

Through tears I say that I can only pray that people will think as highly of me one day that they do you. I pray daily that my son and now grandson will glean the wisdom of their grandfather and great grandfather because he is amazing.

Happy retirement Alfred Ejhugh Bryant! I pray that it is the longest retirement on record. One of these days when I retire we can laugh together at the grandkids and great grandkids as they try to figure life out. If they ask me, it will be simple. Listen to the stories of Jay Bryant and try to be like him.



I love you dad and I am so proud you are my dad! You are simply the best!

Pastor Dad
Your very proud son!
Brad


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