November 27, 1922

Daddy's Birthday

On November 27, 1922 the doctor in Lattimore picked up newborn John Jackson Hunt and said, "Hmmm Weighs about 13 pounds." Many years later, one of Daddy's favorite stories to tell in speeches was of being in Uptown Shelby in front of AV Wray and 6 Sons. There was a scale there that you could put in a coin to weigh yourself and also get your fortune. The jist of the story he tells is that Mama and Daddy were walking down the street and Daddy decided to put in a coin and step on the scale. A slip of paper came out and Daddy said to Mama, "It says I weigh 175 lbs." Mama raised her eyebrows. Daddy turned it over and read the fortune which said something like "You will be scholarly and dapper". Mama looked at Daddy and said, "Well. It didn't get your weight right either."

Trying to express how Daddy weighs in on my life is not easy to get right either.

For a man who loves to talk about genetics, most obvious is that if Daddy hadn't been born I wouldn't have either. And as much as I love, admire and respect him for his many wonderful qualities, it would have been nice to recieve Mama's genes for legs.

If Daddy hadn't been born, there would not have been a marriage that I could observe with awe. There would not have been five Hunt girls to be a part of. There would not have been a dental office in Cliffside with patients who still remember how he pulled their teeth for a dollar. There would not have been a Round Up Store. There would not be a beautiful farm in Lattimore to love and gather in. There would not have been a Raleigh experience and it's impact on many people for 22 years and more. There would not be so much humor and laughter in our lives. There would not be a YMCA named after Mama. There would not be gatherings of many types in many places. There would not be someone to teach me all that Daddy has and continues to teach.

So it's always been very appropriate to me that Daddy's birthday is at Thanksgiving. Because I am so thankful that he was born. Happy Birthday Daddy. I love you.