Footprints on Our Hearts

Mom has a wall between her kitchen and her breakfast room that serves as a tribute to my Dad.  I'm not sure if that was her intention, but whether subconsciously or consciously, that is what it seems to be.  The 5 items on that wall are very different, yet they all leave you with the same message:  Joe Porter was a wonderful, decent man who quietly left his mark on the world.

Since I was young, I have loved to make things.  When we were in Junior High School, my friends and I would make collages.  Some of these were known as "doodles."  We would take a piece of paper and write words, phrases, boyfriend's names, draw little pictures of flowers, peace signs, and add some squiggles and designs.  These were my favorite kind of collages because you could create them any time or any where.  The other kind of collages we made were with things we cut out of magazines or newspapers.  It was generally the same type things, but it was a bit more work since you had to gather magazines and get scissors and glue.   We would flip through the magazines and cut out items of interest for our collages.  Then we would glue them all over a piece of paper in a decorative and creative way.

The first item on the tribute wall is a collage...the cut out kind....that I made for my Dad.  I can't remember if I made it for Father's Day, his birthday, or retirement.  I do remember, however, that I was quite a bit older than Junior High age, so it took me back to a time of sitting in my bedroom making these collages.  Some of the things on this collage for my Dad say 'great family,' 'parents,' 'you deserve the best,' 'WOW,' 'Relax!,' and my favorite 'You're the King.'  Whatever the occasion, I think it is a fitting tribute to a great Dad.

The next item on this wall is a framed document that says:  "In Memory and Dedication, Joe Porter, His insight and vision contributed to our industry's progress.  Most important, his warmth and understanding encouraged all who knew him."  This is from The Board of Directors and Members of The Outdoor Power Equipment Distributors Association.  It is dated 1990.

Dad was very passionate about his work.  He and his brothers had a successful business and the above document pretty much says why and how their business DID succeed.  The Porter Brothers were very insightful as they foresaw a need for a business such as theirs in the area.  They took on products like the Weed Eater when it was in its infancy.  But as much as the insight, vision and passion for the business, I think the warmth, understanding and encouragement is what really made the business thrive.

Another item on this wall is not necessarily a tribute to my Dad as much as a tribute to my mom's brother, Donald....and really all honorable men.  It is a framed version of An Old English Prayer.  Although the initials are Donald's and the date, Sept. 30, 1972 is for Donald, it is penned in my Aunt Jessie's hand.  Her handwriting is beautiful, fluid and neat....just like she was!  I never realized how very important this prayer must have been to Mom for her to have it hanging in two places in the same room.  She has a decoupaged version of it next to a painting of a thankful, praying man in the breakfast room as well as this one that she found fitting to hang amongst my Dad's tributes.  All of the advice in this prayer is certainly advice worth following, in particular "Give us, Lord, a chance to be Our goodly best, brave, wise and free, Our goodly best for ourselves and others, Till all men learn to live as brothers."

I know that peace and harmony were of utmost importance to my uncle Donald and they were the aspects that my Dad found to be the foundation for his home, his business, and the world.

Another plaque on this wall is very official looking as it sports engraved brass plates and a real wooden gavel.  This plaque is from OPEDA to Joseph M. Porter "with greatest appreciation for outstanding and dedicated service to OPEDA as President," dated 1981.  Again, this is just an example of Daddy's willingness to serve and give of his time and talents when and where needed.

And the final piece on this wall is a framed, typed page from a Board Meeting.  It was presented to my Mom in August, 1988, just months after my father's death.  It was one, among many, things that were brought to her attention as a tribute or expression of appreciation for the things Daddy participated in.  This reads:  "The Members of the Shelby Branch of the Board of Advisors do hereby make the following resolution on behalf of Joseph M. Porter as a long time member of the Board of Directors for Union Trust Company, Board Member of Independence National Bank, and member of the Shelby Board of Advisors of BB&T.

Be it resolved that we do acknowledge his consummate involvement with and concern for this institution in all phases of its growth and development.

We appreciate his deep concern and constant effort on behalf of his associates, Board members, and employees to exemplify the highest and best efforts to accomplish the most good for themselves, the institution, and the community.

We resolve that his integrity and faithfulness to his office, his determination to be responsible, and his desire to excel in the ordinary duties be acknowledge with deep gratitude.

His dedication, loyalty and enthusiastic participation will be fondly remembered by the members of the board and employees of BB&T.

Therefore, we the Members of this Board, do unanimously submit this resolution to be a part of the permanent minutes of the Board of Advisors ~~ August 23, 1988".  

It is signed by the Chairman of the Board and the Vice President.

These types of honors often sound redundant and insincere, but the words used in this resolution are truly words to describe my Dad.  Words like loyalty, dedication and integrity.....these are more than mere words, and I am sure anyone who associated with Joe Porter in any capacity could attest to this.  I know it, not only from personal experience, but because these tributes that hang on the wall are a mere sampling of the multitude of others.  

I also know it from the massive amounts of cards, letters, phone calls, visits and personal testimonies received from business associates to young college students. To this day, I still hear stories of my Dad's goodwill, honesty and generosity.  Although Mom and I knew he was a wonderful man, it still amazes us to hear of things that neither of us ever knew about him.

As it has often been said of him....He was a quiet man.

Joe Porter might have been a quiet man who tread lightly, but he managed to leave footprints on the hearts of many. 

Wall of Recognition