Miscellaneous Easter Weekend Thoughts

The trip to the Masters with my boys turned out greater than great. Beautiful weather, great golf and a lot of laughing. We walked ourselves to death and my 52 year old legs are killing me but I will get over it.

My brother George and his friend David joined us. We met at a funeral home in Augusta and all got in one car for the trip to the golf course. George’s friend, who played baseball at Auburn in the 80’s, had to wonder what he had gotten into when he found himself in an automobile with 5 Goddard’s. All he did was laugh and could hardly get a word in edgewise.

I couldn’t help but smile after we got on I-20 on the way home Thursday night. My middle son John who was sitting in the front seat with me, was sound asleep as soon as we got on the road. I was reminded of the hours you keep when you have a brand new baby at home.

I smiled again when I overheard my youngest, Luke, talking on the phone later on the way home. He had called someone and obviously the parent of whoever he called answered the phone. He identified himself as being their son’s youth pastor. I was smiling because I was thinking when I was coming up I never had a youth pastor like Luke. Not even close. And I say that as a compliment.

I got a call at noon on Friday from my oldest son. David and his wife, Holly, left early Friday from Atlanta and drove to Winston-Salem NC to attend the Davis Cup this weekend. As I have mentioned before, Holly works for the United States Tennis Association. It is a working weekend for her but there are definitely perks with her profession.

When I got home from the office Friday afternoon, there was a surprise waiting for me. Little Taylor, now over 10 weeks old , was visiting her Meme. That sweet little girl is growing like a weed and was laughing and goo-ing at her Papa. I’m telling you I have never experienced anything close to being a granddaddy. When we had babies of our own, we were young and busy and overwhelmed by the responsibility at hand. When you are a Papa you see things from a different perspective and all I can do is wipe the tears that well up in my eyes when I hold her.

This Easter weekend for me will be one of hanging around the house and watching the Masters. I can watch coverage all day long now with the technology of the internet and then I will be glued to the television when that coverage begins. I absolutely love watching the Masters if you haven’t figured that out.

As always Sunday morning will be church for us. But this Sunday will be special because it is Easter. Easter represents for all of us not only the celebration of the Risen Christ but also a season of new beginnings. Just a very special time of the year.

On Tuesday, I am looking forward to a special morning in Atlanta. I have been invited to visit the Georgia House of Representatives. House Resolution 718 is scheduled to be presented on Tuesday morning. My wife, Kathy, will join me for that. It will be a special moment for me but also for her. Kathy’s dad served in the House of Representatives many years ago and she has more than a few memories of special times at our State Capitol when she was a child.

Life moves forward. And I am enjoying every moment of it.

I hope you all have a great Easter weekend.