A Father’s Answered Prayer…….
October 21, 1970 – Alone in a dark hospital waiting room I was on my knees, my eyes were filled with tears, my hands were shaking, I was about to become a father. I cried out to God that my unborn child would be healthy, that Sherelene would be o.k., but most of all, that He would make me what I knew I would have to be to be, a father to this new life. If you judge the answer of that prayer by my son, William Scott Fortney, He certainly did much more than answer my prayer!
This is the first of three blog entries I will be doing, one for each of my children, in honor of Father’s Day. What makes a father’s worth is how his children turn out, if for no other reason, I have been a very successful man. The occasion of this entry is an award given to Scott. Awards are nice, they make a statement, but what matters more is why we are singled out to be honored. Earlier this week Scott was presented with a wonderful award that signifies who he is. The award is called the Legendary Caregiver Award presented annually to only three members of the over 3,500 staff of the Baptist Hospital professional caregivers. What makes the award all the more special is that those considered must have been nominated by their patients and co-workers, those that truly know them best. I just read in a wonderful book just a few days ago, and in it a famous pastor said it was his desire that, “Those who respect me most are those that know me best.” Those that know my son best are those that respect him the most. To know Scott, is to know; integrity, honor, compassion, grace, dedication, honesty, sacrifice, and love. My son embodies all the qualities I prayed he would not only have, but exhibit to others, ever day of his life. Apparently the people he serves, and that work alongside of him, know the man I prayed he would be.
I could not be more proud of Scott, and his wonderful family, Diane, and my grandchildren, Hannah and Ben. I’ve watched Scott raise his children along with Diane and I’ve seen what wonderful parents they are, and what that love has brought forth.
A father hopes and prays that his children will be not only be what God wants them to be, but to know Him. I’m so proud of Scott’s faith as a father and a man. He has brought up his children to know what is the most important things in life and he is a loving brother to Wes and Catherine.
Saturday night I will be with him to celebrate Hannah’s high school graduation and I know I will be so proud of Hannah and the young woman she has become. A father’s work is never done, even when our children go off an start their own lives, we lift them in prayer and serve as a counselor and partner through out their lives. I don’t think any man is truly ready to be what we have to be as a father, but I know God has placed his hand on my life and lifted me into the position I must hold, He has done the same for Scott.
____________________
So, Scott, I am so very proud of you, I never had a moment of fear that you wouldn’t become the man you are today. Thank you for teaching me so many lessons along the way and helping me be the father I needed to be to you, Wes, and Catherine. You’ve made being your father a pleasure, an honor and a privilege. I love you son.
You’ve blessed my life,
Dad
This entry was posted on Friday, May 23rd, 2014 at 4:05 pm
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Beautifully done. I have 3 grown daughters and 5 grandchildren and I know just how you feel. Thanks for posting.
It’s a great feeling, isn’t it!?
Thank you for sharing this post. I am also born in 1970 and my two children are still young. But I am also very proud of them. As a parent, I often ask myself if I make things right with them. Not easy every day …
You’re right it isn’t easy, in fact impossible without God!
I love you too, Dad. You’ve been a wonderful example- God has blessed me through you, too. Thanks for posting that picture from our Utah trip. That morning in the Narrows was something, wasn’t it? Happy Fathers Day a little early and thank you for all the great adventures.
I love you too Scott, my greatest adventures were with you, Wes, and Catherine!
…….and of course your Mom!!!
nice save there sir 🙂
Caught that!
When Scott first shared with me that he had been nominated for this award, he did so on our drive home from work one afternoon. As of course you know, Scott and I have been together since high school and I can honestly say that I have only witnessed him tear up or cry on a couple of occasions since then: when he learned that Mamoo had passed and following the birth of Hannah and Ben and- during that conversation on our drive home. I could see on his face how deeply he had been affected and I know firsthand how much he loves helping others. I believe that God has equipped Scott with a gift and that it is through HIS Hands and HIS Heart that allow him to do what he does every day. While it may seem cliché, Scott has always been legendary in my eyes…he’s the love of my life, my best friend, a devoted father, patient, honorable, witty, has integrity, forgiving, dedicated, easy-going and not a day hardly goes by that we don’t have a good laugh together. My grandfather, Edward Childress, was one of the most influential people in my life. He was a quiet man. A patient man. Easy-going. Loved the Lord. Loved the outdoors. Took the time to take in everything, the simple things. One example-noticing the little snake stretched out on an upper tree limb or the blackberry bush camouflaged among the brush during our hikes in the woods. Or taking the time to hand-shuck walnuts for my grandmother’s homemade brownies (what I would give for some of those today). I miss my grandfather dearly but I am honored to be married to a man that exhibits those same qualities as my grandfather. I knew as a young child that my “Papaw” was a one-of-a-kind…and the same is true for Scott. I consider Scott, our kids (and of course, Coz and Oz) and all of our family to be gifts from God and I feel blessed beyond measure, Diane
You are Diane, you are blessed indeed, and Scott is to have you as his life partner and the love of his life, and we are blessed that he brought you into our lives as well! Cherish each other, your family and every moment!
What a wonderful tribute to a son, and from a son back to a father. Love this post and all the comments. Scott, congratulations on a much deserved award.
Thanks Lynn, I’m a blessed man!
We are beautifully blessed indeed. Wonderful post Dad!
Yes,and you are a vital part of that blessing!
Congrats to Scott. Sitting here reading this could not help but think back on the years and remember watching your 3 and my 3 going through school together… Amazing how proud we become at the accomplishments of our children. Tell ALL hi…. miss seeing you guys and all the shooting fun we used to have…:)
Me too Sheila, proud of your wonderful kids as well! O.K. Not kids anymore!!!
Congrats to my brother. I’ve always been proud of you and always will. Great post Dad. I love you and I’m very proud of you too!
Thanks Wes, we’re very proud of you too!
A wonderful tribute, my friend. The wealth of a man is the number of things that he loves and blesses and that he is loved and blessed by. I believe you are quite wealthy. (And you never stop being a parent although the job of being a parent to an adult child is like playing pinball — you watch them bounce around the table of life and hopefully slap them up in time if it looks like they are going to fall into a hole!)
Beautiful tribute to Scott! He has always been a special part of our family, and we are so proud of him and his accomplishments….nice to see that others recognize what we have always known.
That’s Aunt Diane, not wife Diane…lol