Since the article by my eldest son, Justin Jr. (affectionately known as Lj) for the Father’s Day issue of POV, our family has had numerous encounters with community members who have shared warm and positive remarks about his article. So much so that his younger brother, Jackson, asked me one day after hearing one of those warm comments if he could write his own article about his dad. And with minimal assistance he did! —Denise Hurst
I love my father, Justin Hurst. He gives me big hugs and calls me “Action Jackson”. My favorite time with my dad is when we walk to the bus stop in the morning. We talk about our day and right before I get on the bus he says, “Have a good day, son, make it count.” One day when walking to the bus stop, my dad told me that he was running for Mayor. I knew he was on the Springfield City Council, and he was helping the community, but he wanted to do more.
At school they teach us about the different leaders who have worked hard to make sure we have a better life and a better world, and my father is a part of this group of leaders. I hear him talk about keeping our city clean, safe and fun, and getting a good education and having a chance to have a good job, but my dad always tells my brother and me that it’s not about what we say, it’s about what we do. So he doesn’t just talk about the important things for our city, he does it and I know because Lj and I get to do it with him. We go to a lot of community gatherings. We help to clean up, we volunteer and help to pass out food, clothes and school supplies. And we listen when he talks about how important it is to treat others with fairness and kindness.
Lj and I did a lot of work on the campaign, especially putting together lawn signs! We had a lot of fun and sometimes our friends helped us. It was a lot of work. I was sad when my dad didn’t win. But my dad told me not to be. We had worked hard, and a lot of people did support him, and he was thankful. He said there was a lot to be proud of and a lot of lessons to learn for the next time. I will be older next time he runs, and I will be able to help even more. I am glad that he is not giving up. He tells Lj and me to be brave and always keep trying. That’s what he is doing. ■