Virgil

Many of you know my father-in-law, Virgil Lawyer. He turned 80 just a few days ago, and I hope you will join me in wishing him a very HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! For those of you who may not have had contact with him lately, he is still in very good health.
He walks every morning for an hour or so, and also works out at the Ganus Athletic Center. I don't see him slowing down for the next 25 years or so!

Grandaddy has been a tremendous blessing to all of us, and especially to Matt and Luke. They grew up never being more than a few minutes or miles from Grandaddy and Grandmomma. Both knew they had a safe haven from any of the storms life might present them with....all they had to do was show up at 35 Harding Drive. Grandaddy has been a huge influence in their lives to be men of God. They see his constant reading of God's Word, and more importantly they see him living it. They see how someone can continue being a "searcher", even at the age of 80. They see how he is nonsectarian and Christ-like in his relationships with those of other Faiths. They also see how he loves and treats Grandmomma. They know by watching him what a Godly husband does on a daily basis. They witness his servant attitude in the home.

I will close by relating something that just happened a few weeks ago. Grandaddy, Grandmomma and I all go to the same chiropractor. He is Phillip Moore, who is a Harding Alum, and he had Grandaddy in a Civil War class back in the 80's. One day when I was there recently, Phillip said the following: "You know David, I was watching Virgil walk Lou to the car the other day, and I noticed how he was so careful with her and opened the door for her and just treated her with so much love and respect.....he makes me want to be a better man and a better husband".
It reminded me so much of the scene in the movie "As Good as it Gets" when Jack Nicholson says that same thing to Helen Hunt...."you make me want to be a better man". That was good Hollywood fiction, Virgil was real life light and salt.
I can't think of a much better compliment than what Phillip said about Grandaddy, and I also can't think of a truer one.

Thanks Grandaddy....for MANY things..... but especially for making us ALL want to be better people. We love you!