My Dad

The Honorable Sidney Edward Jackson has retired from the Houston County Court System after 22 years of service. The portrait above will be placed in his courtroom. We all came home for his retirement reception this past Wednesday. It was a very happy day for my dad to say the least. As he says, he got to share his "work world" with us which includes all the places and people he has been around for the past 22+ years. Mac and I actually had to leave during the best part of the reception (people talking about how great Dad is) b/c he was causing a distraction as he wanted to run around and play instead of sit still. But we came in after the "honoring" was done to mingle with the crowd. Afterward we went up to Dad's office and courtroom one more time. Each grandchild got to sit in the Judge's seat. No gavel was laying there for any of them to bang unfortunately. Dad said it had disappeard and since then he simply banged his hand on the desk which got the attention he needed. He will still be trying some cases for a week or two and then he'll finally go on some mission trips that he's been wanting to go on for years (Costa Rica then Guatemala). I'm assuming he'll stay out of the courtrooms for a while after that and then do some supernumerary (probably not spelling that right) work which is basically being a judge for free. Chief Justice, Sue Bell Cobb described my dad well in a letter she wrote him:

"Your leadership, both inside and outside of the courtroom, is your trademark. Your integrity is beyond question. Judge Jackson, quite simply you have been everything a judge should be."

Congratulations Dad. I can't wait to see more of you!