Monday, June 30, 2008

Taking Pride in America on her Birthday

Happy Birthday, America! Those "lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer" are being enjoyed by many of you who are taking it easy this week, traditionally a time for vacations, as the 4th of July celebration draws near. Let's not get so caught up in our busy lives that we forget just how fortunate we are to live in the United States of America.

I sometimes disagree with our government policies, and I am ashamed of government's response (more correctly lack of resonse) to many of the problems facing our country. However, I am a proud American who feels fortunate to live in this corner of the planet. Sure we have some idiots running the country right now (especially in the United States Congress) but the fact of the matter is that we are blessed to live in a country that was founded as a nation that places its trust in God. Unfortunately, over the years, we seem to have gotten away from God as a society and a country. As a result this drift away from God, I think our country has suffered much in the process. Sure, this is still the greatest nation on earth but that position of world preeminence is being challenged. God and country are inseparable in my opinion. And until our nation once again is becames "one nation under God" and reassumes it's positon as a people and a nation that can truly say "In God We Trust," our beloved country will continue to decline on the world stage. This return to our roots and the intentions of the founding fathers includes positing the Ten Commandments in public buildings and making a place for prayer in our schools. AMEN!

So as we observe our nation's independence and celebrate Ameria's 232nd birthday on July 4, 2008 (a national holiday commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776), let's all be grateful and proud to be Americans. Let's also lift up our country in prayer asking that, as Lee Greenwood said in his popular contemporary patriotic song, "God Bless the USA" or, as the great Kate Smith inspired us in song with Irving Berlin's famous lyrics "God Bless America"!

Speaking of the upcomg holiday...with gas prices near $4 and rising, this might be a great year for a "staycation"...a vacation or 4th of July celebration close to home. Dehart Park will offer the perfect setting for a family outing this Friday, July 4th as the 6th annual 4th in the Park Independence Day Celebration and Car Show take place. The festivities will include one of the largest car shows in the region, a patriotic parade, pool activities, food, games, pool party, exhibits, vendors, live music, and a giant fireworks display to cap a full day of fun and fellowship in one of our most beautiful community resources, Dehart Park in Stuart.

The Vesta Community Center will serve as the setting for the annual 4th of July bluegrass and Old Time Music Competition. In addition to the music competition at three levels, children, teen and adult, a quilty show and food and games for the children will be offered.

The Blue Ridge Passage Resort at Meadows of Dan will also present a fireworks display on the night of the 4th of July.

Whatever your plans for the 4th of July, take pride in our country and thank God for the opportunity to live in this great land. Happy Birthday, America!

Until next time, may God bless you with a "great day"!

O:)
Richard

Sunday, June 22, 2008

A Short Life Well Lived!

Family, friends, and neighbors paid their final respects to my friend Brandon Dillon, 7, of Stuart, during a very touching funeral service Saturday morning in the chapel of Community Funeral Services in Stuart. The service was conducted by the Rev. Jim Churchwell, pastor of New Life Community Fellowship, and Dr. Clyde DeLoach, former pastor of Stuart United Methodist Church with music provided by Debbie Bennett and the Southern Prophets. Brandon, the loving youth who inspired our community during his courageous fight against leukemia, was then laid to rest at Patrick Memorial Gardens. After the graveside ceremon, Brandon's sisters, Tiffany and Sara, and with other children and adults released butterfly-shaped balloons that soared skyward symbolizing to me the freedom from disease and suffering that Brandon now enjoys in Heaven.

Even though Brandon's life was very brief, it was certainly well lived. In fact, we can all gain much insight into the way God wants us to live our lives by looking at the way Brandon lived his. As Rev. Churchwell said during ceremony, Brandon truly "lived, loved, and cared." This sandy-haired youth truly lived his life from moment to moment, never complaining about his situation or wasting a minute. When he was able, Brandon, who was filled with optimism and zest for life, was always on the go, drawing the most from each precious moment of his life. Brandon was one of the most loving children that I have ever met, and he didn't mind telling you that he loved you either. I will never forget the warmth that filled my heart when he spoke the words "I love you" to me from his death bed. Most of all, Brandon cared for other people above himself. He loved his mother and sisters dearly and did not rest until he knew they were happy, safe, and secure. Brandon also cared deeply for other people. Nicknamed "the little preacher boy" because of his strong faith in Jesus, he would often put his hand upon the forehead of family members and friends and say a special prayer uniquely tailored to their particular needs or circumstances. Yes, Brandon truly "lived, loved, and cared" for others.

The measure of a life is not in the number of years lived; the quantity of possessions obtained; or the amount of riches, fame, and fortune acquired. The true measure of a life is the love that we give freely to others and the enrichment that we bring to their lives through our words and deeds. Brandon devoted his short life to living fully, loving tenderly, and caring compassionately for others. Life is a gift from God never to be squandered or to be taken for granted. Brandon's life only lasted 7 short years, but his was undoubtedly a life well-lived.

Speaking personally, Brandon has served as a inspiration to me to try to make some changes and improvements in my own life. Just as he did in life, even in death, this young man (the word "boy" just doesn't seem appropriate in reference to Brandon because of advanced maturity) can serve as a role model and example to all, young and old alike, of what being a Christian is all about, loving God and serving our neighbors above ourselves.

Brandon is now marveling at the wonders of Heaven in the presence of Jesus, but his life still speaks volumes to my heart and to the hearts and lives of the many others who knew and loved him. I am proud to have known him and inspired by what I learned about life from him. I know that I can do a much better job in living my life having for just a brief moment in time watched and admired him as he lived his. I am sure that the first thing God said to Brandon upon his arrival in Heaven was "well done, my child, well done." Brandon Webster Dillon's life was well-lived, indeed! God rest his soul.

Please keep Brandon's family in your prayers, and in honor of his memory, please join me in seeking in our own lives to..."live, love, and care".

Until next time, may God bless you with a "great day"!

Richard

Wednesday, June 18, 2008

Heaven Welcomes My Friend, Brandon!

I lost a dear little friend with a big heart today! Brandon Dillon...the beloved 7-year-old Stuart boy who inspired our community with his courage, his concern for others, and his passion for life...died Wednesday, June 18, 2008, peacefully and victoriously ending his 5-year battle against leukemia. Since age 2, Brandon suffered from acute lympoblastic leukemia, a form or leukemia, or cancer of the white blood cells.

Brandon inspired the founding of Faith for the Miracle, a Christian ministry that serves children with cancer or rare diseases and their families. Tammy Bowman, who founded the ministry with her husband Brad, said Brandon was a most remarkable child. "Brandon was very special to me and he was the first child in our ministry. I love him very much, just as if he was my own. We called him our little preacher boy. He loved the Lord so much," said Mrs. Bowman.

The quality for which I will remember Brandon most is his unselfishness, his concern for other people above himself, and his sensitivity to the needs of others, especially to his mother, Tammy Dillon, and his sisters, Tiffany and Sara, whom he loved so much. Brandon never asked for anything for himself without first asking many times for these things wanted or needed by his mother and sisters. He was one of the most protective children I have ever known. He was also very concerned about the well-being of the other 5 children served so far by Faith for the Miracle, asking Mrs. Bowman several weeks before his death to make sure that the other children served by this non-profit ministry are cared for. "Brandon asked me to make sure that I fought for the other kids and helped them," said Mrs. Bowman.

Thankfully, in the weeks and months before his death, with the support of Faith for the Miracle volunteers and many other caring citizens in the community, Brandon had the opportunity to enjoy many special moments, including catching his first fish (a large trout), becoming an honorary fireman, riding a 4-wheeler for the first time, taking a flight in the Air Care helicopter, enjoying appearances by Disney characters at a party given in his honor, going to Chuckie Cheese, singing his rendition of Alan Jackson's song "Small Town Southern Man" on my radio show, visiting the Richard Childress Racing shop, going swimming, and, most special of all, recently visiting his father whom he had not seen in 5 years. In one of his last outings, Brandon asked his mother about 2 weeks ago to bring him to see me at the radio station. On that memorable day, I introduced Brandon to the WHEO staff, gave him a tour of the radio station, and interviewed him for my show. Everyone on the staff took to him immediately, and Brandon became a part of our radio family.

Brandon's survivors include his mother Tammy Dillon; his father, Jeffery Richards; his stepfather, Benny Carter, his sisters, Tiffany Alice and Sara Ann Dillon; 2 brothers, Chris and Willie Lamb; and his grandparents, Virginia and Roger Dillon and Betty Deal.

On behalf of the family, special thanks are extended to the staff of Hospice of Patrick County for their loving care and compassion. The local Hospice of Patrick County team worked so hard to make sure that Brandon was as comfortable, happy, pain-free, and as well cared for as humanly possible in the last weeks of his life.

Brandon touched many hearts during his brief earthly life, especially mine! During the past several months, I have been blessed with opportunities to celebrate his life, to have him on my radio show, to attend his party, to see his joy and enjoy his company at the American Cancer Society Relay for Life event, and to sit by his bedside and hold his hand as he prepared to join the angels of Heaven. Last Sunday evening, I was sitting there by his bed against a wall completely covered with cards and tokens of love from his many friends and well wishers, and he asked me for a hug. After our friendly embrace, Brandon looked at me and whispered "I love you, Richard." Believe me, the feeling was mutural and that sentiment was shared by countless people in our community and beyond.

Remarkably mature beyond his 7 years, Brandon graced this world for only a short while, but he certainly left an indelible mark upon my heart and the many others who knew and loved him!

No more suffering, no more pain, Brandon has conquered cancer! Jesus welcomed him home today! So long, my friend, Brandon...until we meet again on Heaven's playground!

I love you, Brandon!

Your friend,
Richard

Sunday, June 8, 2008

A 6-Year-Old Radio Sensation!

Hi :O)! Despite the oppressive heat, I attended various events in the community this past weekend, including yard sales, bake sales, car washes, breakfasts, lunches, and even a late afternoon picnic. Everywhere I go in the community (events, restaurants, grocery stores, on the street, you name it) people tell me how much they enjoy the newest segment of my WHEO morning radio show, Madison's Moments. Heard at about 7:15 weekday mornings Madison's Moments features Madison Stowe, a 6-year-old Trinity Christian School honor student who is enjoying her summer vacation (and eating lots of her favorite foods like strawberries, watermelon, cucumbers, tomatoes, and fresh cherries).

In her little more than one month on the radio, Madison has become a 6-year-old radio sensation! Not a day goes by without someone, usually several people, telling me that Madison's morning radio program puts them in a wonderful frame of mind as they prepare to meet the challenges of the day ahead. Listeners also tell me frequently that Madison is a real blessing and an inspiration to them. I couldn't agree more! Madison is truly a blessing to our county and a real asset to my show and our community-minded radio station. She has a very special child's radio ministry indeed! I am proud to play a small part in it!

Madison is one of the sweetest children you will ever meet! As pretty as a little doll, she is well behaved, very polite, courteous, respectful of others, mature beyond her years, and a delight to work and play with (each time she comes to the radio station to pre-record her programs, we take a little time for some fun and games too). Ask her if she would like to recite one of the many Bible verses that she has memorized at her school, and she will readily share with you her favorites passages from the Word of God, recalling each verse perfectly from memory! In her popular radio feature, Madison's Moments, Madison, whom I have affectionately nicknamed "my little radio buddy," recites a Bible verse and relates the scripture to everyday life, giving listeners a child's perspective on Christian living. It is a wonderful radio ministry and I am proud to have Madison as part of my radio show, which, as most of you know, is a very important part of my life (It certainly consumes a great deal of my time!).

I would like to thank Madison for enhancing my radio program, The Great Day in the Morning Show, and helping my listeners get the day off to a positive start. I hope that she will continue to do her program for many years to come. It will be interesting to listen to her progress and to get her perspective on life as she grows older. I would also like to personally thank Madison's mother, Shannon Stowe, for bringing Madison to the radio station for our weekly recording sessions and for working with Madison so patiently and helping her to select the material that goes into her show (often while multi-tasking, tending to Madison's 2-year-old sister Kaitlyn at the same time). Madison's father is Jeryl Stowe of Stuart. She is the granddaughter of Jimmy and Othelia Stowe of Stuart and Diana Overby of Lawsonville, NC, and the late Ronnie Overby (who, I am sure, is listening in and watching over her from Heaven). God bless Madison and her family!

By the way, congratulations to Madison, a member of Brownie Troop 1215, who was recently honored for being the number one sales person in Girl Scout cookie sales this year. Madison sold a remarkable 1,257 boxes of Girl Scout Cookies, by far the most of any girl in the county. The next highest person sold 393 boxes. I must admit that I consumed a few boxes in support of Madison's efforts myself. Keep up the great work Madison...in school, as a Brownie, in everything you do, and on the radio as "my little radio buddy"!

Madison is part of what I consider to be the most inspirational 15 minutes in radio. Also during the 7:15 to 7:30 a.m. Monday through Friday quarter hour, Bev "Heartwarmer" Larson's program and Rev. Jim Chruchwell's Good Morning Devotions are also aired. I have also heard many praises (and commented about it many times) of these two much longer running segments of my show, Bev's Heartwarmer feature and Rev. Jim's touching commentary on the Word of God. I am so blessed, honored, and proud to have Madison, Bev, and Rev. Jim for my "Quarter Hour of Inspiration" each weekday morning. Check it out, Monday through Friday from 7:15 to 7:30, and be blessed!

Until next time, I leave you with my love :O) and a prayer that God will bless you with a "great day"!

Richard