Orange Blooded [4168]
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RIP Lawson Holland: Two tomato sandwiches and so much more..
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Aug 28, 2023, 8:17 PM
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This tribute to the life of former Clemson football player and assistant coach Lawson Holland was penned today by the Pastor of Clemson First Baptist Church. A very good read for any and all of us...
Along the Way.. Two Tomato Sandwiches, A Goodnight Kiss and Eternal Life
This past Friday, I learned about the death of Lawson Holland. Lawson was a friend, a former church member, and an all-around great guy. I had the privilege of serving as pastor to Lawson and his wife Cathy at First Baptist Clemson from 2007 - 2015. Lawson was the kind of guy that motivated you to be better because of his encouragement and his passion for life. He was a successful coach at all levels of football. He had coaching stints at Clemson, Duke, Wake Forest, North Carolina, Oklahoma State, Florida, and was Steve Spurrier’s assistant for the Washington Redskins. Lawson was a man of deep faith, and it was his faith that gave him peace about life and death over the past couple of years as he struggled with heart disease.
I last visited with Lawson back in May at his home in Myrtle Beach, SC. We had a wonderful heartfelt conversation about the gift of life, the blessings of life, and his peace about death because of his faith. I have been with many people through the years as they neared the end of their life, but seldom have I heard anyone express such contentment and thanksgiving as I heard from Lawson. In summary, Lawson said, “I have lived an extraordinarily blessed life, a life that anyone would cherish and my heart is full, and whenever the Good Lord calls me home I am ready. Until then, I will spend my time talking with friends and family and giving thanks for my life.”
When I spoke to Cathy this weekend, she shared with me details of his final hours. “Thursday night he wanted two tomato sandwiches on white bread for dinner, so I went to the store and bought a good ripe tomato and white bread. When we finished these southern delicacies, he said, ‘that was perfect.’ Later that evening, he kissed me goodnight and retired to bed.” Sometime during the night, Lawson Holland departed this life while he slept and awakened in the glory of God’s kingdom.
Through the years when having a great meal or experiencing special times with friends, I have said, “If I died now, I would die a happy man.” Lawson’s final hours with us sound pretty perfect; Two tomato sandwiches, a goodnight kiss from the love of his life, and a peaceful sleep that turned into eternal life. If I could choose how I leave this world, I would choose Lawson’s way, as long as it’s summertime and the tomatoes are ripe.
Rest in Peace My Friend.
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