Isn’t it like age 14 or so when birthdays stop being really fun? Don’t get me wrong. We should all be thankful to the Lord for another year of living. But at some point the presents and the little hat and streamers are replaced by e-cards and bulletin mentions. Such is life.
Still, I was hopeful when my good friend, Wayne Maynard, told me last year that there was a very good chance that Micah would be born on November 5. How exciting this would be for Wayne and Shennetter! Micah would be the answer to prayer after Shennetter’s multiple pregnancy-related health issues.
And he would be Wayne’s greatest birthday gift ever.
Plot twist. Gasp. No “happily ever after” here. Shennetter’s whacky doctor was too busy, or something, to perform the C-Section on the 5th. He preferred the 6th.
Surely he didn’t know that Wayne’s birthday was on the 5th, right? Wrong. He knew full well. Perhaps he couldn’t move his tee time. Now that’s a real reason for health care reform.
Me? I would’ve pitched a fit. But Wayne is much nicer than I am. And angering the man who was about to deliver his son didn’t seem to be high on Wayne’s priority list. Fine. Just seemed wrong to me.
Fast forward a year. It’s now November 2009. Micah’s 1st birthday is approaching. Shennetter has made plans. She’s cooked a big meal and invited us all over to celebrate our godson’s special day. In style.
Now we’re at the Maynards enjoying a party that one-year-old Micah will never remember. There’s chicken wings, and crab dip, and shrimp cocktail, and cake. And there’s a little hat and streamers too.
And oh yeah, Wayne’s birthday was the day before. Happy belated birthday, Wayne! It’s a good thing you’re a proud dad, ‘cause YOUR birthday will forevermore be yesterday’s news. Sorry.
Then again, maybe not. I’m paraphrasing…
“I wanted to do something different for my birthday,” he said.
Yeah, yeah whatever. Say cheese, Micah!
“You guys mean the world to me. I’m so honored that you would be here tonight for Micah and so thankful for the impact each of you has had in our lives.”
Ok, he was getting sentimental, so now we had to pay attention. For the next several minutes Wayne elaborated in great detail about what each of us meant to him personally.
“So I decided that this year, for MY birthday, I would do something I always wanted to do. I bought gifts for each of YOU.”
Chicken wing, you’ve been spared. At least for now.
“Cameron and Casey,” Wayne said, “I’ve watched you grow.”
He handed them the coolest new game for their Wii.
“Lora and Denise, you are wonderful godmothers to both of our children.”
He handed them $50 Macy’s gift cards.
“Mike, you have been a great mentor and friend. I wanted to get you something that I knew you wanted and that will help you accomplish one of your 73 stated goals for next year.”
He handed me a brand new guitar.
“What can I say about my wonderful wife Shennetter? You are everything to me.”
He handed her a new Dell laptop.
As surprising as all of this was it’s really very much in character. Wayne is one of the most selfless people I know. He’s a terrific listener, encourager and the definition of a friend. I don’t remember one time when he hasn’t been all of these to me.
But I’m pretty sure I’ll always remember his birthday.
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