(EDITOR’S NOTE: This is such a wonderful birthday tribute from a daughter to her father that I had to share it with readers of BAHAMAS CHRONICLE as a Guest Commentary.)
GUEST COMMENTARY: BY JEWEL EDWARDS
FREEPORT, Grand Bahama, August 5, 2022 — Happy Birthday to my hero, my role model, a national icon indeed, my Daddy. I’m grateful that God has blessed my two brothers and I with the best dad any children could ask for.
I know I am who I am today because of the grace of God and the unconditional, self-sacrificing love of my parents. Daddy, thank you and mommy for giving us the best and making sure we were always taken care of.
Daddy, thank you for being an exemplary Godly transformational highly respected leader in our home, church, community, nation. Thank you for your extraordinary work ethics, commitment to going above and beyond, for always serving with integrity, honesty, humility, kindness, excellence.
Daddy, you’ve taught and shown me what it means to be a consummate professional, to never take shortcuts, and make a positive difference in the lives of others. You model and have shown me what it means to be a hospitality professional and servant leader.
I remember you instilling me when I got my first job in the hospitality industry at 15, and you said, “Jew don’t ever be afraid to stand alone for integrity, Godly principles, morals and what’s right.”
Daddy, I heard you then and I will always remember your admonition: I will STAND FOR WHAT IS RIGHT even if I stand alone.
Daddy has always been there to encourage, inspire, and teach us. He always invested 100% into my life, my mom and my brothers, our family.
My dad’s example allows me to learn about God’s love and mercy in a way that can’t be taught by words alone. He has always made Christ our family’s source and the head of our home and instilled Godly values.
My daddy is the most intelligent, humble, loving, genuine, and Godly gentleman I know. And to think he’s still working hard and going strong. GOD IS SO FAITHFUL. I am so proud to call him my Daddy.
If any of you see my daddy around the island, please help us celebrate this giant of a gentleman. Daddy, your wife Pearl of 57 years and Glen & Jason and Reds & Vernetta, your 5 grandsons, Britnee, 1 great-grand daughter – our princess — and all of us appreciate you and love you so much.
I pray God continues to grant you good health and long life. I am so honored to call you my hero. Thank you, Daddy, for always praying for me, always being there for me, always believing in me, and always standing by me.🥲❤️. #iLoveMyDaddy #DaddysGirl Jason Edwards
(EDITOR’S NOTE: Jewel Edwards in an assistant to Minister for Grand Bahama, the Hon. Ginger Moxey.)
