Reflections

If you would have told me November the 1st what our December was going to be like, I would not have believed you. Lewis came home from the hospital a few days before Christmas. 9 days and approximately 23 lbs later,  Lewis is attempting to piece together his post-graduate life. He has had one post-hospital visit with the doctor saying he is on the mend. As the doctor said, he was one sick kid. Papa Jerry, we hope, is spending his last night in the Forsyth hospital tonight, Sunday, December 30. The doctor and caseworker gave dad the go-ahead to leave the hospital on Monday with a 4-6 week prescription of formal rehabilitation. His insurance/doctors have chosen Bermuda Commons in Advance, NC for this next chapter. On the last Monday of November, mom called me indicating that dad could not get up and she was unable to get him mobile. I arrived and we decided to call 911. That was the beginning of his month-long stay at Novant Forsyth Hospital. He was diagnosed with some type of ...

First off, I appreciate the way so many of you have reached out to Lewis thru Elizabeth & me. This morning at 7 AM, the nurses came to pick Lewis up to take him down 8 flights to the operating room. He was so thirsty, all the whole time brave. They cut his water intake off at 10 the previous night. The OR prep team explained the procedure and Lewis said, “lets get this done”. Both his grandmothers, Liz and I waited as we watched the monitor identifying “prepping, in “surgery” and “recovering”. As all people waiting for a love ones to get out of surgery, we anxiously waited for the OR waiting room phone to ring. I hurried over to answer and they ask for someone in the Swicegood family; I said “speaking” . The nurse said "the surgery went well, and his first words were I want my mom”. Only one person could go back. Twenty four years old or 10, a boy wants his mom when he's in a pickle. The doctor said that he accomplished his goal by cleaning the infection surrounding ...

Despite Lewis' energy last evening, our hopes that he is getting better was diminished this morning with a visit from the surgical team doctor. Inside of Lewis' left lungs is a spider web, mesh like infection called "loculated capsules". The strong antibiotics they have him on is no match for this infection. So, in the morning (time unknown), he will be going into surgery to have these things removed from his left lung. Last night, in hopes of seeing himself coming home the week before Christmas, he wanted to be cleaned up; so, I gave him a shave. He also wanted to walk down the hall, so they hooked up the suction devices to a battery and the mobility nurse Kim (who was so helpful) walked him down the hall. She asked, "how far do you walk to go", and like Lewis, he said "my goal is to the outside window and back". He made it and was so happy to get out of the bed. This past summer, the two of us were on the Missouri River in Montana. Suddenl...

I'm sure if you're like me,  music seems to always show up in your mind during life events and the memories of them. Summer time, Sweet Home Alabama, Christmas, Josh Groban's O Holy Night, and the funny one, My first year of dating Elizabeth, Caribbean Queen by Billy Ocean.. " now we're sharing the same dream". I guess she was my queen . But tonight, sitting in a hospital room with my son, and my father directly above him on the 9th floor at Forsyth Hospital, the chorus to the Casting Crown's song, Praise you in the Storm has been on my mind.   And I'll praise You in this storm and I will lift my hands, For You are who You are no matter where I am, And every tear I've cried You hold in Your hand, You never left my side and though my heart is torn, I will praise You in this storm Fun times in Craig, Montana Don't we take life for granted! Three weeks ago we were talking about final exams, caps, and gowns. The college milestone was com...

Expectations sometimes show up because of years of mis-thought. Recently, I was invited to speak on behalf of the National Auctioneers Association in Boston. It was the New England Auctioneers Association. As I prepared for the weekend event, the thought entered my mind, “how would these New Englanders welcome a southerner. I had never visited the Boston area and was coming with a few preconceived notions. As a southerner, we pride ourselves on being gentil (or at least we think we are). Maybe even a little more patient than the folks in cities like Boston who apply the horn a little more often than we do down south. In fact, if you visit my hometown and are from the northeast, you would probably begin to ask yourself, “why does every car driver wave at me”. It’s the truth, we wave at strangers driving in the opposite direction. I guess its just a kind gesture of recognition or maybe not wanting to be perceived as stuck up. So, Elizabeth and I landed at Logan airport. I made my way...

A Visit To La Cambe German War Cemetery In 2012, our family decided to travel to Paris and then be transported to Normandy, the site of incredible American drama. It was on the shores of the famed D-Day beach called Utah, where we placed a photo of Frank Couch, an American purple heart recipient who wore German delivered shrapnel in his body until he was laid to rest in the sloped cemetery of Jericho Church of Christ in Mocksville, NC. On this trip, internal patriotism was pounding in our chest. We visited the St. James Cemetery and listened to the chimes of the church bells as we surveyed the crosses and stars of David in rows upon rows. Later, tears accrued upon each of our cheeks as we visited the  Colleville-sur-Mer cemetery where 9,387 American souls are buried. An insignificant bluff overlooking Omaha beach made significant by heroes who were born there by their blood and where the future of so many young American’s ended.  As an American, the emotions are ...

The Answer is NO There are many reasons to go to church, most importantly to give God his glory. But every now and then, you hear things, you learn things that have an impact on your life. Today was one of them. A Morrison Bible fellowship friend, Gary Baldwin quoted a past pastor by the Name of Mark Corts, former pastor of Calvary Baptist Church who said, “I challenge you to say “No” to something at least once a day”. Later in the afternoon, I began to think about that profound idea. We live in a luxurious society where “yes” is preached to us constantly. “Yes” you need a better car, “yes” you need a larger house, “yes” you need those designer clothes, “yes” you need the iPhone X (guilty, kind of, I have the 8). All of those things are good, but so often we turn good things into bad things. Just look at our waist lines.  “Yes” is certainly important as I’m glad my wife said it to me many years ago. But think about the times we said “Yes” in our life and the consequences...

Jerry Morrison summed up a powerful message about the tongue! I fall short very often. However, I hope that when people hear my name, or your name, they think positive things rather than words like sarcastic, self centered talker, etc. Listen to what Jerry has to say about the part of your body that offers life or death.

Robert Frost wrote about travel. In his most famous piece, “Road not taken”, he ended by saying “I shall be telling this with a sigh Somewhere ages and ages hence: Two roads diverged in a wood, and I— I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference.” Writing this on Delta getting ready to leave a conference I attended in Jacksonville, FL, my mind is fast forwarding to another jet I’ll be boarding this next Wednesday.  I have traveled many places and I can say they were fun. Some more exciting than others. But like Frost, this Wednesday I’ll be traveling down a road that is not traveled so much. Unlike the crowded beaches of the east coast (which I dearly love) or even the Appalachian Mountains that I sit at the base of in the foothills, Montana takes me to a place of solitude that has made all the difference to me. Waking up at the base of the Elkhorn Mountains lookin up at its 9000 feet summits, then looking to the river that Lewis & Clark traver...

The power of quiet! I have often heard in church “Be still and know that I am God”. As an extrovert who is charged by activity, being still is probably one of the hardest things to accomplish. But this morning, in the quiet of a Charleston, SC hotel, I sat on an chase lounge, and from about 5:45-6:30 am, I didn’t turn on the TV, I didn’t hear text messages beeping, and there was little to no traffic noise outside. Elizabeth was in dreamland and I just sat there quietly and silently spoke to myself and heard the quietness of God in the room. All is quiet Our generation probably more than any other, is challenged with noise: good and bad. Our phones are glued to our bodies. They are used for talking, listening to music, books and etc. We are addicted to TV. We proudly talk about binge watching Netflix shows. When we wake, we turn on the news. As we get in our vehicles, we turn on the radio. But this morning, the soundtrack of my life was simply silence. Meditation? I don’t k...

Thomas Jefferson was 6'2'. Jeff towered over me. Since we sold the estate of Andre the Giant in Ellerbe, North Carolina, I thought that would be our celebrity of the decade transaction. But recently Ashton & Elizabeth  took a conventional listing call. The usual took place, comp searches, sharing of our marketing plan, etc. Everything was typical until Elizabeth asked the client to give her his full name. He said, sure, Thomas Jefferson Randolph VIII. She kept writing and said, Thomas Jefferson....the eighth?? He said yes, I am the 8 th descendant from Thomas Jefferson. By the way…. You can call him “Jeff." America's third president, Thomas Jefferson married Martha Skelton and of their six children only two girls made it to adulthood. Their first born child was Martha Jefferson who later married Thomas Mann Randolph. 8 generations down the line enters Thomas Jefferson “Jeff” Randolph. Thomas Jefferson Martha Jefferson Jeff is selling his ho...

You know, the anticipation of trips are almost as much fun as the trips themselves. For about 6 months, Elizabeth, Lewis (our son) and I have been anxiously awaiting this day.  When Elizabeth and I were in the Holy Lands in 2012, we told each other, "we WILL bring our children here."  Now it's Lewis' turn. Now, getting ready to board a Lufthansa airplane headed first to Munich, and then on to Tel Aviv where we will arrive early Wednesday Morning. Packed and ready to go We will ride down the Mifrats Shlomo Promenade to the old city of Jaffa. More commonly referred to in the English bible as Joppa,  it is the oldest part of Tel Aviv -Yafo. It was an ancient Mediterranean port. The most famous biblical story there is about Jonah, who was reluctantly called to preach and was swallowed by a big fish. The area is also known for stories about Solomon and Peter.  Consider reading in the New Testament Acts 9:36-43 to read about the charitable lady name "Dorcas...

It was a cold winter afternoon when we picked up our new found friend Zoe. With puppy breath and a sleek chocolate coat, Liz and I took her home with the expectations of an exciting December  morning. Our kids Ashton & Lewis received the puppy as a Christmas gift at their grandparents house. I am certain 14 years later, its the only present they remember getting that year. One of our Appalachian Trail Journeys Elizabeth, put Zoe into full training mode which the results showed up the rest of her life. Zoe walked with me on a few Appalachian Trail journeys. She followed Elizabeth and I up and down Oak Meadow lane as we attempted our health walks. Many times, we would walk on to the busier Ratledge Road, we would tell her to “Stay”, we would walk a mile or two, and when we returned, she would be sitting there just waiting for us.  She shadowed me and my horse on our rides around the farm. On good days and bad, she was there to greet us as we came home. After the tr...

This friend lives down the road from me.  I passed him today and noticed his lack of might and his diminutive stature. Unlike a mighty dutch warm blood, this small little donkey stood up against the barbed wire fence with very little movement.  Used in many cow pastures to protect young calves from the blood thirsty coyotes, they serve a great purpose in herd development.  So, on this week, two millenniums ago, Jesus Christ entered the city of Jerusalem on a donkey much like my friend. Walking along the cobble stoned streets in what was called the triumphal  entry. This story, a classic example of why we are humans and He is God. I’m not sure, but I think If I'd been God, I would have shown a little more muscle than a small little donkey. Maybe the Clydesdales. Possibly the grand wagon that they pull, minus the logos. ;-). But then again, knowing that crucifixion was imminent, would I even have gone to Jerusalem. Probably not. I’m not sure of my ...

Can you imagine life without the art of music? Consider the movie Star Wars with the epic opener by the great composer John Williams. Or Mark Isham, who described with notes the Montana of Norman Maclean's youth.  So powerful, you can hear the music and it takes you there. Or is it just me? Most all places have an anthem of some kind in my mind. Like Boston's "More than a Feeling" that takes me to a cool fall afternoon where I was falling in love with Elizabeth. Over and over we listened to that incredible rock piece. Or 1984, Myrtle Beach listening to Billy Ocean's "Caribbean Queen". I think that is one of the things that God created in the human. Our ears connect to our mind, triangulated with our heart to form an emotion that only music can make. It happened to me when I pulled pieces of Baroque music together to help create the holiness of that special day in my life on March 17, 1989. And how could you talk about music and not address the mu...

If you've been to the farm, you'll notice a small granite placard on our brick entrance column. We built the columns the year we built our house. I called Carl Lambert, the local funeral home director and asked him to have a tombstone company create an insert in the column. It says "Ellafield, Est. 2000" and  " as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord". So what's in a name? If you grew up in the Jericho-Hardison community, you would recognize the name "Ella".  It was my paternal grandmother. Essentially, I was born into her world as she lived with my mom and dad from the time I was born. In the day, Ms. Ella, as she was called by all,  ran the little country store on the corner of Jericho Church Road and Buck Seaford Road.  I could write and endless blog on life at the country store, but this one is about names. Unembarrassed,  I will share with you a short story about a gift. A simple woman, Ms. Ella, was frugal. After Liz and  I w...

As a child, I remember being fascinated by the story's of my Uncle Charlie Swicegood on Buck Seaford Road. His hands were wrinkled, the map of his long life you could see in the lines beside his eyes, yet his memory of December 7, 1941 was a clear as day.  As a 12 year old boy, I listened to him intently. He described the horror was yet remembered the resolve in the hearts of America. I feel certain my relationship with him is what caused me to value the American soldier. For the rest of my life, I read about the war in Europe and the battles of the Pacific. When I visited Arlington the first time, all the years of interest became like cured concrete. My resolve to thank American soldiers became my commitment. Later, when I took my family to the beaches of Normandy, France, the pounding rising tide rose in me a deeper appreciation for the blood, the sacrifice that at one time laid upon these sands. In 2011, when I was asked to serve on the board of directors for the Triad Fligh...

Business had us in south Charlotte today. Our meeting ended early at 11 so we decided to enjoy a little Bucca di Beppo (Italian food). Since we were in the queen city and the Billy Graham repose was in its last day, we decided to visit the Billy Graham Library. Parking was off of Nation's Ford Road at Samaritan's Purse distribution center. The line was probably 300 people. We were bused over. I had never visited the Library. The atmosphere was  solemn but yet you saw smiles on peoples' faces. The staff at the Billy Graham Library reminded me of Chic-fil-A employees, greeting us and thanking us for visiting. I bet I was thanked 20 times. Something happened while I was in line that caused me to become uncomfortable. I'm not sure if its my age or the significance of a man who has literally shared the Gospel of Christ to millions. I became a little emotional. I never met Billy Graham, but probably like you, I knew about his celebrity. Celebrity, yet unlike the celebrity...

So often, the work I'm involved in doesn't have immediate gratification. I have weeks, sometimes months of putting the pieces together to a  point we call success. Of course when you have worked hard and cross the finish line, there's not a better feeling. When spring time shows up however, I begin a few chores that provide me that immediate gratification. Yesterday,  I had 100 pounds of grass seed, 300 pounds of weed & feed and an 8 acre field that needed mowing (that is refined for bush hogging). While the grass seed doesn't provide that immediate growth, the rows that I walked spreading it does. Walking over brown Bermuda grass, I broadcasted the seed with the exciting expectation of a green yard.  Then, the fertilizer. Once again, the rows that I create helps me see the end of my job circling the house. I know the first rain we have will turn the yard into a growing field over night. Figuring out what "it is finished" means Proba...

"Have we lost our hunger?" Tonight as I watch the tributes to Billy Graham, he was quoted as asking that very question. Over my fifty years, I feel like I have seen the demoralization of the country that I grew up thinking was a Christian Nation. On reflection, Billy Graham was not only a pastor, but his leadership demonstrated servant-hood. As the scripture in Romans reads "For I am not ashamed of the Gospel". He used every platform he had to make Christ Jesus famous. He enjoyed a 60 year love affair with his childhood sweetheart. I appreciate how his son Franklin continues his father's legacy and  his grandson Johnathan speaks to churches and groups about how Christ has impacted his life. Now, as the family prepares his life dedication services, I believe his question for you who read this is "what will you do with Jesus Christ?" As Kathy Lee Gifford said this morning on NBC, we all have a malignancy of the soul, and there's only one way ...

I’m a proud American. Our founders created a wonderful nation. Although imperfect, they forged together a diverse group of people and created the experiment we call America. It’s quite amazing. In the continual process of creating this nation, we have had to make a number of course corrections. Today in a board meeting, I learned of a fascinating fact that hit home to me.   Consider this, in the historic town of Fredericksburg, Virginia, at the corner of Charles and William Street, there is a reminder of America’s tattered past. On this corner lies a stone that is said to be an auction block. This solid piece of rock is where  a person would be placed for observation in front of a bidding public.   Human beings were sold to other human beings for the purpose of work, the purpose of property and for the purpose of being a slave.   Sadly, in this era, it was not looked upon as the horror it is. In fact, it was considered a right. In 1857, Dred Scott who's case wen...