A Crown To Wear!
“Grandchildren are the crown of old men.” (Proverbs 17:6) This verse is true because grandchildren are so special, and I certainly qualify as an “old man.” I wouldn’t try to change the Bible, but I wish it read “grandchildren are the crown of old men and young grandmothers.”
Lynn and I are greatly blessed. I could write a long blog about each of our ten grandchildren. They are Godly followers of Jesus and excel in academics, athletics, and are beginning to set records in the workplace. Here is a brief update on each of them.
Eddie Parma, our oldest, graduated from Auburn where he excelled with the Auburn band. He felt God’s call to become a Christian counselor. He is pursuing his doctoral studies to be engaged in this ministry. Robert Hixon had a great record at New York University and graduated from Northeastern Boston. He has traveled extensively, and just received a new job working in Washington D.C.
Catherine Parma finished Auburn in Nursing and was immediately hired at Brookwood Hospital in Birmingham in the Labor and Delivery Department. I met one of her coworkers and she had glowing reports of Catherine’s work. Will Aaron played baseball at Wallace Community College, graduated from Auburn and is pursuing a master’s degree in Sports Management Administration at Troy University.
Si Mathison, Jr., known as “Mat” finished high school with two state championship rings. He graduated with honors from Samford University, married Alysson Haller, and is awaiting acceptance to physical therapy school. Thomas Aaron and John Hixon are attending Auburn University. Thomas is majoring in Business and is an elected leader in student government and is working at an internship in Kentucky this summer. John is majoring in Agricultural Business and is a great hunter and fisherman. He is out west this summer studying the use of drones.
Healey Mathison graduated from Auburn University Suma Cum Laude May 10, 2025. She just enrolled to take seminary courses online to get a Master of Arts in Theological Studies from Liberty Seminary. She also accepted employment at Auburn University working in the program with International students.
John Thomas Mathison graduated from Trinity Presbyterian High School on May 22, 2025. He was inducted in several scholastic societies, ran cross country and track, and won the state indoor championship in the two-mile. He received a scholarship to run cross country at Auburn University at Montgomery.
David Hixon graduated from the Naval Academy on May 23, 2025. He played two years of football before an injury shortened his career. He was selected for flight school. He graduated on Friday and got married to Kennedy Thorpe at the Naval Academy Chapel on Saturday.
I did not know of any crown that Lynn and I would rather be wearing than the crown of God’s glory through grandchildren. We have four Godly kids who have shaped each of the grandchildren. We are blessed with that.
Lynn recently went to Dr. Tod Sheils who has done surgery on me three times and cares for her. She said he looked her in the eye and said, “You and John Ed are remarkably healthy. Please don’t quit doing what you are doing and keep moving forward.”
We are enjoying our crown and moving forward! How about you?
