Kudzu - Daddy's 80th birthday party

KUDZU

Jennifer named this party kudzu - she said it started small, but quickly grew out of control. I think that's a pretty appropriate description.

The first seed was planted last summer, when my cousin Michael told me about a conversation he'd had with Dr. Doug Foard. Dr. Foard was on the faculty at Ferrum College when Mike was a student there. Their conversation was about the high academic reputation that Ferrum enjoys among small private colleges, and Dr. Foard said that reputation was a direct result of the people hired by Sidney Sandridge during his years at Ferrum. Later, Jennifer "googled" our dad's name, and found references from two prominent United Methodist ministers who talked about the influence that Dr. Sandridge had on their lives as students at Ferrum. I started thinking then about the extent of his influence over the years. Kudzu.

I've recently started paying closer attention to the stories my dad tells. In the past year, I've heard the "inside" story of the journey from Athens college to Athens State College more than once. It's pretty amazing. Those of us who graduated from Athens all know the story of Madam Childs, the lady who saved the college from the Union Army. I wonder how many thousands have received degrees from this university since 1975 because of the man who saved the college from the Methodists! Kudzu.

In January, Daddy's brother "Junior" died, and in March, his sister Dorothy. In Crozet for Dorothy's funeral, I saw cousins and other relatives that I hadn't seen in about 30 years. When my cousin Gay said she wanted to bring her dad and Aunt Mary to the farm for a visit, I started thinking Daddy's 80th birthday would be a good time for them to come. So when my mother said, "Kim, your dad's 80th birthday is coming up, what do you think we should do?" I already had some ideas in mind. But I was thinking of something at the farm, or to make it easier for my mother, at the church. Jennifer suggested the college, and the kudzu started growing. Jeff and Dejuana and Sandi and MC got involved, and they all had great ideas, and the kudzu grew and grew. Then, as I started talking to people and writing letters, everyone seemed very excited, and many people suggested more names and gave me more addresses. I think Curtis and Lea sent out as many emails as I did! Creeping vines of kudzu.

One response kept coming up, as different people contacted me about the party. When my cousin Mark from Texas emailed me to say he, Maridee, and Helen were coming, he said, "We wouldn't miss it." And when my cousin David from New Jersey called to say he and Bree were coming, he said, "We wouldn't miss it." And I thought what a tribute that is to both of my parents, that we have cousins here from both sides of the family, from Texas to New Jersey, and from Florida to Portland, Oregon, who wouldn't think of missing this day! Heart-shaped leaves of kudzu.

So, I think Jennifer was right. It started small, and grew and grew. And I would like to think so many people for making this day possible. To Dr. Bartlett, thank you for allowing us to use this beautiful building and for welcoming us back to the campus. To Sandra Stockton, thank you for everything you did to make this day happen - my dad made a good choice when he hired you! To Curtis, Jack, and Jim, for your willingness to be a part of this day and to help in every way, thank you. To all the family and friends who sent emails, wrote letters, and made a special effort to be here, thank you. To my family - my mother, siblings, in-laws, nieces and nephews, thank you for everything you did to make this day happen, and for being here. And finally, to Mike, Elizabeth, Renee, Mason, serving our country in Iraq, Nathan and Jaime, and Courtney and Dan in Australia, thank you for all your help and your love and support.

The party was called kudzu. But the party was not really the kudzu. You are the kudzu - we are the kudzu - and if Daddy's, Papa's, Sidney's, Dr. Sandridge's influence has meant anything in your life, let it continue to spread.