Name: Jonathan Butler | City: Fayetteville, North Carolina | IG: @rankcity.tv
What does being a father mean to you?
Being a father to me is everything. My father passed away December 14th 2017, 6 days after my grandmother. It was tough. MY wife and I have been together 20 years and had been unsuccessful getting pregnant. 2018 she got pregnant with our 1st son, Pope Jon. He was unfortunately born still Sept. 9, 2018. It was meant to break us, but it didn’t. It was the hardest thing i have ever been through on top of still grieving my grandmother and father. We welcomed our Rainbow baby Lux Nathan Butler March 25th 2020. He has taught me so much in life in his short time one this earth. He has given me strength and wisdom beyond my years.
Describe your experience with your father growing up and how that impacted you today.
My father was there when he wanted to be, I never had that close play basketball bond with him. He left my mom and had a baby by his mistress before i was born. He came back to my mom and had me but stayed with his other family. I loved my Pops but i will be a better man and father to my son than my father was to me.
What things did you take from your experience growing up into your own fatherhood journey?
I used to be in the streets a lot and feel like the streets raised me because I was missing something. My father wasn’t there and my mother worked a lot to support me and my older brother by herself. I begin messing up in 7th grade. Smoking weed, skipping school, etc… i got my first armed robbery charge at 18 years old. I knew my life was over after that sentence. I don’t want that gor my son’s (my wife is expecting our 2nd boy any day now). I want to teach them how to be sufficient. I want them to follow their own paths and never stray from what the believe in. I didn’t have that with my father.
Have you had any obstacles on your fatherhood journey?
When my son was born March 25th 2020, I had just broke my ankle March 12th. For thev1st 3 months of his life, i was helpless. I depended on my eife for everything. It was tough not being able to stand up and hold him, nothing. i finally begin taking baby steps and was able to hold my walk with my son mid July. Best feeling in the world.
What advice would you give others new on their fatherhood journey?
Be ready for it. It not something to take lightly. Live your life, get your education and be prepared. Our son’s need us 100% not half of the time. Even if your not prepared, stepup. The look my son gives me daily keeps me going, keeps me on my grind. This little person depends on me and I am going to be there til my lady breath.
If you could write a quick letter to your father, starting with “Dear Father,” what would you say?
Dear Father,
I forgive you. I forgive you for your absence. I forgive you for the way you done my mom and older brother. I love you Pops and wish you could be here to see my son and how great of a father I am to him.
I love you Pops.
Rest Peacefully.
Jon Jon
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