Father And Son Appreciate The Little Things In Life
Daniel Peterson (left) and his father, Tim Peterson, are avid Bulldog fans and enjoy fishing, putt-putt golf and other outdoor outings. Daniel also enjoys art, especially creating grisly scenes as a special effects artist.
Father And Son Appreciate The Little Things In Life
By David Howell
Editor
WATER VALLEY – As a single dad, Tim Peterson enjoys spending every hour possible with his son, Daniel. The pair enjoy putt-putt golf, fishing and most other things fathers and sons enjoy. They share a strong friendship, a special bond that exists without blurring the parental role that Tim values to ensure his son is raised right.
Daniel, a junior at Water Valley High School, came to live with his dad when he was 13, understanding that he would be expected to do chores, follow rules and strive to get a good education.
“He made a decision to live with me even though the consequences at my house are steeper. Living at my house is harder. Being with me is tougher.” Tim explains, pointing to his military background that started with the Civil Air Patrol when he was 12. Tim graduated from a military school and had a brief stint in the Army before he was medically discharged following an injury.
Tim also readily admits his own performance on the football field helped get him a diploma, and takes a lot of satisfaction in his son’s performance in the classroom.
“He hasn’t missed a day of school since his freshman year. He hasn’t been off the honor roll since his freshman year,” he explains.
A Life Changing Event
Their bond is even stronger because Tim is legally blind. He was diagnosed with macular degeneration in 1992, receiving a dire diagnosis that he would be completely blind in several years.
Tim moved to Water Valley to live with his father after he was discharged from the Army. He got a job with Weyerhaeuser in Bruce and worked up to a lumber grader, a job that came with a nice paycheck. But when an inspection showed his accuracy dropped he was instructed to see an optometrist to get glasses.
He visited Dr. Steve Edwards and was diagnosed with macular degeneration. He was referred to a specialist in Memphis and heard the same news: his eyesight would fail rapidly.
“I am going to tell you how blessed I am. The doctors told me I would be totally blind in two to three years. God blessed me,” Tim explains. He landed a job at Holley Carburetor expecting to work a few years before his eyesight would completely fail. He was able to stay on the job there until 2008.
“I kept looking to go blind and it wasn’t happening. I was thanking God every day,” Tim explains.
Now Tim has very limited eyesight, but Daniel explains that does not impact their lives.
“I just drive him where he wants to go,” Daniel said.
“And he reads articles for me,” Tim added.
Most of all, Daniel explains that he gets a daily dose of appreciation from his dad.
“He tells me to thank God for every day and appreciate the little things in life,” Daniel explains.
