Happy Birthday, Buddy!

This weekend marks a special day. Four years ago, I was in Boston and received a phone call from my son-in-law while watching Monday Night Football (turns out he and my daughter were watching as well....in between labor pains!) Tim called to let me know that my first grandson had just come into the world and that his name was Mark Garrett Williamson.

I had always hoped that I would be blessed with grandchildren. I have such amazing memories of my grandparents, especially my Papaw. As the song goes, I thought he walked on water and I wanted to have the kind of impact on my grandchildren that he did on me. However, I had no idea how I would feel when this little guy was born. I met Mark Garrett about three days later, when I traveled to Norfolk. I remember walking into our daughter and son-in-law's home and stood in awe as my daughter came over and placed Mark in my arms. I had often wondered whether I would feel the same way about my grandchildren as I did abolut my own children. That question was answered at that moment. I tell people that grandchildren are somehow different than your own children. I think a big part of that is that as you are a mom or a dad to your own children, you are often so invested in the "busyness" of life that it is very easy to miss some of the wonder and magic of a child growing up. I also think that as we reach the time in our lives when grandchildren come along, we are at the same time beginning to see the headlong rush of our own lives towards completion and for most of us it changes our perspective. In short, I fell in love with this precious little baby and to this day, I can look at the picture Anita took of Mark and me as I held him that first time and I get a lump in my throat!

For the past four years, we have gotten to spend holidays and routine days with Mark; vacationed at the beach; ridden trains to New York City; played in Central Park; ridden a carousel; gone to the great State Fair of Texas (twice!); taken him on his first fishing trip; eaten cookies as big as his head. I thank God for the blessing this little boy has been to me!

We make life very complicated and complex, but in reality there are really only three things that matter - that my wife, children (that means you too, Tim and Meghan!) and grandchildren spend eternity with their Lord and Savior! Beyond that, its all good! I love you Buddy and I know you will have an awesome birthday...maybe even with "black Mickey cupcakes with instruments and sprinkles!"

Papaw