Thoughts from Ruth Graham about her fathers birthday party Birthday Celebration by ruthgraham As promised...but can you believe, I dont have any!? I did not take picture one! And the ones my daughter took I cant seem to upload. ARRUGH. There were 900 people there! Most I did not know. It was frustrating to see so many I did know and love but was unable to talk with. Like a gigantic wedding reception...wonderful, dear friends, but couldnt get round to them. As you can imagine the security was tight and just to go to my fathers table to wish him a happy birthday brought scowls from the security folks who did not know me. Ask me if I care. As soon as I stepped off the elevator I was greeted warmly by Jan Karon. I hadnt seen her in years! She looks ever prettier than ever - so warm and gracious. From then on it was person after person to hug and greet - special folks - by and large. Lots of family but so many members had not been included for some reason - I missed the Charlotte cousins and Dallas contingent. But I was not asked about the guest list! It was fun to see the next generation of cousins enjoy each other. It is a good bunch. Yes, there is an odd ball or two (as in every family) but by and large a really enjoyable, fun group. We definitely missed the ones who were not there. I loved having my kids with me. My son actually wore a suit!! My girls looked beautiful. All three were poised, gracious, attentive - and themselves. They dont put on airs. Windsor drove all the way down from Philadelphia and Todd took daddy duty so she could be there. Yea Todd! Windsor drove a far as Virginia, spent the night and picked up her sister so they could drive down together. Good sister time. There were many dear people there - the press mentioned the notables but there were sweet friends who quietly serve the Lord in obscure places. When we get to Heaven they will be the ones on the front row. Jesus Himself will honor them. I was somewhat distracted as I was launching a new business that weekend in Bristol, VA. I had done 3 interviews that day. We left Bristol at 3:30 to arrive in Asheville by 5:00. I had my business partner, Bobby Griffin, and a sweet friend, Peggy Garvey, with me. We left the hotel by 10:00 and got back into Bristol at 11:30 to start the trade show at 9:00 on Friday which continued through Sunday afternoon. At one point Bobbby came up to me and said, I want you to meet someone - lets get a picture. I looked up and none other than Donald Trump stood there! Bobby snapped a picture and I was able to thank Mr. Trump for honoring my Father for his birthday. I will definitely let you all know about my new business in the next blog and give you a website. Exciting! We have been slammed with interest and orders. It is something I have worked on for 30-some years! So I am excited. Two highlights of the evening - other than the video of my precious father and having my kids with me - was the opportunity to meet Glenn Beck and his wife. I invited them to be my guests. Along with two of his assistants. I had never met them, though we had corresponded and shared emails. (Several years ago I arranged for him to have time with my father.) What a lovely couple! He is such a gentle, gracious, humble man. I loved them both. We bemoaned the fact that Virginia voters had not seen the farce of the Libertarian candidate who, in fact, was put up and funded by the Democrats in order to spoil the election. Politics is a dirty business. But in the midst of that Glenn and Tania are warm, loving people who are passionate about this country and the direction it is headed. Then I spotted Rick Warren who asked if I would take him to greet my father. There was security around Daddy - Ricks plane was 2 hours late - I can only imagine how frustrated he was. I was delighted to see him and honored that he recognized me! He had a book full of signatures from Saddleback members wishing Daddy a happy birthday. About 35,000 names. After dinner he hung around. We were able to tell him how much we appreciated his candid interview with Piers Morgan on CNN about his sons illness and suicide. He talked about what God had taught him about his sons pain and the process of grief. How grateful I am for a man of his stature to talk about mental health - an area ignored by much of the Church. I drove back to Bristol - adrenaline was pumping. A terrific evening that honored God and my father. I went to Montreat on Sunday to be with him and wish him a Happy Birthday without a crowd around. He is my hero. I love him and while he did not invite the crowd back for his 100th birthday he said to me, Maybe my 97th! Amen!
Posted on: Sat, 16 Nov 2013 04:13:51 +0000
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