Today is the birthday of one of the best men I have ever known. My Dad, Lee.
He will celebrate his special day as a survivor. He was diagnosed with prostate cancer on 7.29.11.
Our family will all be together today, but there will be no birthday cake. That is, unless my brother sneaks some in to the hospital.
Did I fail to mention that my dad is having surgery today to remove the cancer? It is his birthday gift to himself (and to us).
He could have waited another week, but that would only have delayed what needs to be done. Not my dad’s style.
Men like him don’t wait. They act. My dad is a leader in every sense of the word.
There are really very few words needed to describe him. But the words that do, are strong words. Weighty words.
Generous. Loyal. Wise. Strong. Hard working.
He was born during the Depression (the real one). Had one job for 35 years. One house for over 3 decades. One woman for over 50 years (and counting). Raised 2 educators and a pastor. And even served in the National Guard.
It is men like my dad who built this country.
I hope you will take a moment today and thank God for the people who mean the most to you. And while you are at it, please say a prayer for my dad.
If you have a moment, you can also leave him a birthday wish in the comment section below. I know it would mean a lot to him.
Happy birthday Old Man! Thank you for being, not just my father, but also my dad.
i2i,
Randy
Would you like to leave a comment for my dad?
Happy birthday, Mr. Gravitt! My prayer is with you this morning. You should be proud of your son Randy…he is a true leader and influencer. I am sure he is just following in your footsteps! Thanks for your contribution!
Happy Birthday Dad! Randy couldn’t have said it better. You have taught us so much and we will continue to learn from you for many years to come. I love you and will be in prayer all day. No cake though! It’s against the Dr.s’ orders. Well………. maybe just a little piece.
Happy Birthday Mr. Gravitt. Thank you for the impact you have made on your son and how that has changed my own family’s heritage! We will be praying for you today!
Happy Birthday Mr. Gravitt! Prayers for you and your family! 🙂
Mr.Gravitt you are in my thoughts & prayers today. Happy Birthday! Hope the coming year is filled with blessings & that you are healthy & whole. You did a tremendous job with Randy!
Happy Birthday Mr. Gravitt! I still think of you often on Friday nights when the announcer comes over the PA system at the ballgames. You contributed so much to so many lives back in those days, and you have raised 3 wonderful children. I think we can safely say you did good! I hope and pray your surgery goes well, and you will soon be cancer free. God is good, all the time! Much love to you and sweet Patsy!
Patrick, Missy, Mary Beth & Katherine Baynes
Happy Birthday!!! I wish you a speedy recovery. God Bless you and the family.
Patsy Shivers
Tifton, GA
A very Happy Birthday Mr. Lee. I went thru the same procedure 2 1/2 years ago and am doing just fine as I’m sure you will also. By the way, you should be very proud of Randy, a great leader–he keeps me on my toes.
I know Randy will keep us up to date on your progress.
I love you so much PaPaw! You are an inspiration and I am so proud of your willingness and courage to fight this. Thank you for being a great role-model and an even better grandpa! I appreciate everything you do in my life. Happy Birthday 🙂
Great blog dad! You described him perfectly! Happy Birthday Paw Paw! I’m praying your surgery went great and that you will have a fabulous birthday! (Oh by the way, Randy you forgot one thing…he is the greatest grandpa in the world!)
Wow! What a great tribute to our amazing dad! I read this as I sat in the hospital waiting room with my two awesome brothers (yes you and Ryan) and our precious mom. As you know, I was too emotional to comment at that moment (I really can’t believe you showed it to me in a crowd of people). Your words were right on target…what a great man! The best birthday news came a few minutes ago…the doctor said all went perfectly and dad is doing great! I am first in line for Birthday hugs as soon as he gets out of recovery! I bet he says, “Hey Pretty Girl” when he sees me. Lol.
Thanks Randy for letting the world know how blessed we are to have such an amazing dad!
Happy Birthday Daddy!
PaPaw, you are the best! I could not be prouder of you. Thank you for being a great example to me over the past 15 years. You have encouraged and loved on me. I am so blessed to have a man like you to be able to call grandfather. I believe in you!!! I love you! (:
Rebekah
I’ve known your Dad and Mom for many years and they both are wonderful people. Happy Birthday Ezell!! Your on my prayer list.
Please pass our best wishes on to Lee Dale. We have him on our prayer list for a speedy recovery and also want to say Happy Birthday!
Happy birthday to a great man. One of a few that have had a great impact on my life. I count your children among the best friends I have ever been blessed with, and I count my blessings that they have a father and mother like you and Mrs. Gravitt. I love you both!
You are in my prayers. I pray that you are blessed with many more birthdays
Our prayers are with you Mr. Lee. I know that great company you worked for and that family is here for you as well. Remember to do what the Doc orders and that the nurses are really trying to help you. Since you can’t have a cake, maybe Randy will sing for you. He has a GREAT voice, you know!! Thanks for doing the best you could raising Randy. He’s doing a great job following in your footsteps loving his family and partnering with Laura in raising fine daughters. You’re in our prayers and hope you get well soon!!
Happy Birthday Mr. Gravitt! We will be praying for you. May you be blessed with many more birthdays. Thank you for leaving a lasting legacy on this generation and therefore on the generations to come.
Happy Birthday Mr. Gravitt. To encourage you, your son is one of those men that have a contagious leadership ability. One that you try to be like. So thank you for pouring into him all these years. Your hard work is truly influencing the next generations. Yes I mean generations, plural. Praying for your healing and recovery!!
Happy Birthday Mr. Gravitt ! Our family prays for you a speedy recovery ! We are grateful for Randy , Laura and your four beautiful grandkids . We know the apple doesn’t fall too far from the tree ! Blessings to you , the Swords family .
Oh pawpaw 🙂 uncle randy did forget to mention in this what a great grandfather you are to the six of us 🙂 we love you more than words can ever describe. thanks for being the bestest pawpaw in the whole world..we are very lucky to have you in our lives.. and soo soo glad your birthday is CANCER-FREE 🙂 yayy! thats a birthday present for the whole fam! i hope your day was as special as you .. love you so much!
— Lauren!<3
Oh pawpaw 🙂 uncle randy did forget to mention in this what a great grandfather you are to the six of us 🙂 we love you more than words can ever describe. thanks for being the bestest pawpaw in the whole world..we are very lucky to have you in our lives.. and soo soo glad your birthday is CANCER-FREE 🙂 yayy! thats a birthday present for the whole fam! i hope your day was as special as you .. love you so much!
— Lauren!<3
You are a pretty darn good father in law as well. You can only imagine the impact you and your family have had on my life. My last name may be Bush, but I am very proud to be a member of the Gravitt family. Happy cancer free birthday. We love you!
David
Happy Birthday to a great Paw Paw! Im so glad the surgery went well and you will be on the road to recovery and real foods very soon. I can’t wait to come see you and Honey again! i miss and love yall soo much!
Happy birthday Paw Paw!! Hope you recover from your surgery soon! Can’t wait to come see you, love you!
Happy Birthday Papaw! You are such an amazing man! A true inspiration to all who know you! Your kind heart, generous spirit, and loving devotion are a blessing to us all! I am so proud to be a part of your family! I love you!
Happy Birthday Papaw!
I am so glad I got to see your cancer-free self tonight! I am praying for you to have a speedy recovery. You are the best granddad a girl could ask for. Thank you for the amazing legacy you are leaving everyday. We love you so much!
Happy Birthday Mr. Gravitt! It is apparent that you have truly lived out 1 John 2:6 “If you claim to live in Him, you must walk and Jesus walked” – As you have followed Christ all these years….your son (and children)have walked in your footsteps, modeling what they have seen. Thank you for your faithfulness as a dad and husband to your family. God bless you, and a speedy recovery!
Happy Birthday Mr. Gravitt!!! Praying for a speedy recovery for u! May God continue blessing you and your wonderful family!
Happy Birthday Mr. Gravitt!!!! I will be praying for a complete recovery….Thank you for giving to us Randy and for his leadership…..I know how proud you must be to see how God is using him to bring others to Christ….1st Peter 5:10 States; That the God of all grace that has called you to himself, after you have suffered awhile will make you perfect, establish and settle you…..God Bless you! Get well SOON!
Happy birthday papaw! I love you sooo much! Sorry im a little late, but i still love you! You are the best grandpa in the world. Never forget it! I can’t wait until I get to see the cancer-free man I love more than anything! ( I love you no matter how you are. With or without cancer). You are in our thoughts and prayers! I love you!!!!!!!!!!!!! Tell Honey I said I love her too! (: Happy Birthdayy!