When I remember my Dad, my childhood comes rushing back to me as though it was yesterday.
This Sunday is Father's Day. But again, I will be without my Dad, who passed away a number of years ago.
I've never forgotten my Dad or many of the things he taught me in the game of life. In fact, I learned many lessons from him.
My Dad was BobBy Lester Hobbs, whose life was cut short By cancer at the age of 49. My Dad had the kind of personality that made you like him and want to be around him.
Perhaps that's why he was so successful as a salesman for Colonial Baking Company, which today is known as Sara Lee Bakery Group. My Dad was a bread man through and through, and he'd tell anybody who would listen that that's all he ever wanted to be.
Seems as though everybody around these parts, Thomson, Warrenton, Norwood, Crawfordville, Union Point, Wrens, Louisville, Wadley, Bartow and many other parts of the CSRA knew Dad. Again, he was very likable and made lasting friends.
For sure, my Dad was special to each of his five children. During the time he was battling cancer, he asked my fraternal twin brother, BobBy, if he'd be interested in taking over his bread route in the Thomson-Warrenton area. My brother agreed and now after more than 24 years, that particular bread route still is run By a man known as BobBy Hobbs.
And believe it or not, for three years, I too, worked as a bread salesman with the same company before my route - around Greensboro and Lake Oconee - was shuffled from Augusta to Milledgeville.
It was the hardest work I've ever done in my life. I can't believe my Dad did it for so many years or my brother for as long as he has done it.
Some of my Dad's loyal customers through the years would kid him that he could sell ice to Eskimos. He rarely had a person turn him down when it came time to try to establish a new stop.
I remember my Dad selling cinnamon rolls, honey buns and other items off of his bread truck when my brother and I operated a neighborhood grocery store, off Forrest Clary Drive, while growing up in Thomson. My Dad sold the items to us at wholesale price.
We had the most fun operating that little store, although we never made much money.
I remember my Dad always loved Christmas, too!
He and Mama always had plenty of surprises for us.
It's Father's Day again and yes, I still remember my Dad.
