The oldest, Caudle Jerry V (or Quint as we know hin) is ready to graduate from Loyola University with a music performance degree with specialization in Jazz. that's perfect for a young man who grew up in New Orleans Besides graduating from the Patrick Taylor Academy for Math and Science, he also graduated from the New Orleans Center for Cultural Arts. He is an ordained Baptist minister, and is a music composer and performer and leads worship in churches and special events.
Grandson number two (Will Adkins) is a college athlete. He is a quarterback for the Glenville State Pioneers and he is also on the spring golf team at Glenville State. He is also an outstanding student.
Grandson #4, Asher, is a sophomore basketball player for The Ashland Tomcats, the most winning team in the history of Kentucky High School Athletics. The Tomcats have a record of 55-5 since he has been dressing with the varsity. And they finished in the Final Four at Rupp Arena in last year's Sweet 16 state tournament. Like all the others, Asher is an A student as well..
Their little 10 year old brother, Nathan, (grandson #5) has followed in the big brothes athletic prowess. Having those two older brothers who have cut him no slack, he excels in multi sports from Little League Baseball, to football and basketball,
That brings us back to grandson #3, Canon Josiah Adkins (Pictured here). Canon is also an accomplished young musician in New Orleans. He is a junior at Patrick Taylor, but also excels at NOCCA, where he primarily plays trumpet, but also excels at guitar and keyboards. He is also taking college credits at UNO with Pat Taylor, He also has his own "second line Brass Band" that plays for many events.
This brings me to the purpose of this post.
Today is (third grandson) Canon's 17th birthday. That's a big deal in itself and I am so glad we could do thanksgiving and his birthday with the part of our family here in NOLA.
Seventeen years ago today Linda had come down to NOLA to help out around the house for Jay, Michelle and Quint with the birthday of this new BIG baby!
Long story short, after Linda had left for New Orleans, I ended up in the former Our Lady of Bellefonte hospital in Ashland, KY for tests to see why my hemoglobin was reading out as less than 7. Several medical tests were run, and a large tumor was found in my right ascending colon. Turned out it was malignant and that it had spread throughout my liver. Linda rushed home for my surgery to remove 3 1/2 feet from my Colon. The diagnosis was "Stage 4 Colon Cancer. Incurable but possibly able to respond to some treatment." The average survival; time for that diagnosis was estimated at 18-22 months. Research showed that people with my situation had a 15% chance of surviving 5 years.
It didn't look good. Some said it was "time to put my affairs in order." But obviously God had other plans for me.
That's where Canon the birthday boy comes in.
Every birthday of his is a silent reminder and a marker of God's grace in my life, My cancer was discovered the week he was born. Look at him now! Look how good God has been to me,
It has been a 17 year road filled with lots of bumps and potholes. Three surgical procedures. A full year of rough chemotherapy etc. But by God's grace I have survived.
I've survived to see grandsons 4 and 5 come along and grow up. I have survived to celebrate our 50th anniversary with my dear wife. Survived 17 more years as the pastor of the finest faith family anywhere. Survived to preach and teach the Word of God with urgency and renewed fervency.
Three years ago there was another major bump in the road with the diagnosis of Merekel Cell Carcinoma, which has brought about a couple of surgeries, numerous radiation treatments and three years of immunotherapy, which I am still taking every other week, Yet I remain active, and seeking to make full proof of my ministry. God has truly been good to me.
Like my late friend Veda Young told me about 17 years ago, "I am not going to spend the rest of my life dying!"
I'm thankful to spend this day, my cancer diagnosis anniversary and Canon's 17th birthday, with this grandson and his family, I love all five grandsons tremendously - but this one is my Special Marker.
Happy birthday Canon! And praise be to our God. Great is His faithfulness.
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