On the platform with Andy Griffith

(Part of my reason for writing this is just to make my little brother insanely jealous. I confess.)

Earlier today I was a participant in a community wide award ceremony called the "2008 Land of Beginnings Community Luncheon". A local businessman seated next to me at the table looked at the program and said, "You're on the program!". "Yeah. I'll do anything for a free lunch!"

Actually I was there to give the invocation, at the request of my friend Sandy Semans, editor of The Outer Banks Sentinel. The "Living Legends" award was given to Eddie Greene, a local businessman and community minded man who has given much back to the OBX.

His friend Andy Griffith, along with Mrs. Griffith (Cindi) were among the distinguished speakers. Even after living for almost 22 years in the same county as Andy it was the first time I've seen him in public. Years ago I used to wish I could drive up his driveway, pull out my guitar and sit on the front porch and pick and grin with him.

When I was called upon to give the prayer he was seated just 5 feet behind me. You don't know how strongly I fought the urge to turn around and say something like, "Gomer says 'hey!'", or "Nip it. Nip it in the bud!" Or perhaps my favorite, "It's me, it's me, it's Ernest T.!"

But I resisted the urge and prayed.

I was also blessed by the number of people, many of whom I had never met who approached me to tell me they were praying for Tricia, Gwyneth and Nathan.

And one more thing. Our state senator, Marc Basnight, gave the keynote address. I gotta say this, Marc is one smart guy. He gave an empassioned speech about the environment here and our role as Outer Bankers to lead the way in protecting it. For 15 minutes he spoke without notes, referring to a number of issues facing us. No wonder he's the President pro tempore of the NC Senate. I also know he's a great guy who serves us well, and has even assisted Tricia.