A Farewell Epilogue: Billy Graham

For many, funerals are sad occasions.

However…the one I covered in early March to say goodbye to Rev, Billy Graham was not as solemn as you might think. Thanks go to Rev. Graham’s children and his sister for that.

Photo credit: Billy Graham Evangelistic Association

Sister Jean remarked about always marveling about seeing her house on the grounds of the Billy Graham Library in Charlotte. The home was deconstructed from its original location in — brought to the grounds and restored to its original appearance.

Jean got the biggest laugh after saying she argued with her husband about which room in the house was hers. Fabulous!

The words of siblings Gigi, Ann, Ruth and Ned were inspiring. Their quips (at one another) were funny. You could tell these were kids — who despite having to share their father with the world – saw the man speaking at all those famous ‘Crusades’ as just Dad.

The most visible of the children, Franklin, poignantly said he still couldn’t think of his father without thinking of his mother. Ruth Graham died in 2007. Rev. Graham is now buried next to her at the library.

Photo Credit: Franklin Graham via Twitter

Funerals are what they will be. I think that’s why many take to calling them ‘Celebrations of Life’. It is a positive take on what will be a reality for all of us.

It also falls in line with that ‘better place’ we all aim to get to.

Seeing Charlotte

I could not depart the ‘Queen City’ without taking a quick look around.

Charlotte is a great place with lots to see and do. The great thing about covering stories on the road is you often get to reconnect (albeit briefly) with friends in the broadcasting biz. I ran into some of my old videographer buddies in NC as well as Skip Foreman of the Associated Press and Fox News multimedia reporter Terace Garnier. I also saw this guy with me below. Ryan Burrow and I did radio together in Memphis. He now travels the country for ABC Radio.