Remembering Mark’s Birth Day (2-14-14)

Remembering Mark’s Birth Day (2-14-14)

On February 24, we will be celebrating our older son’s fiftieth birthday.  Across the past 50 years, Mark has been a source of many blessings in our lives.  He is a fine Christian man, whose primary career has been as a teacher and coach in Christian high schools.  We are very proud of him.

I (Wayne) remember the night Mark was born (I’m sure Darlene remembers too!). 

At the time, I was serving as Assistant Pastor of the North City Free Methodist Church in Seattle.  I had a committee meeting scheduled at the church the same evening Darlene began having contractions.  I began formulating a plan: I would take Darlene to the hospital, leave to conduct my meeting, and then return for the delivery of the baby.  However, she contended against that plan.  So I cancelled the committee meeting or asked someone else to serve as chair (I don’t remember which).  As an alternative plan, I brought with me to the hospital a briefcase loaded with books: I was a graduate student at the University of Washington and had an essay to write. 

At the hospital, I had the entire waiting room to myself.  Thinking I would be there all night, I proceeded to spread out (in an orderly fashion!) my books and notes on the nearby chairs and over half the floor…and set to work, “redeeming the time.”  (Those of you who know me well are no doubt laughing by now.  But this was 50 years ago!  J) 

In ca. 15 minutes I was interrupted (I had barely got started on my essay): a nurse entered the waiting room; she escorted me in to see Darlene for a few minutes.  Ca. 15 minutes later, she interrupted me again…to announce that Darlene had already delivered and I was the father of a boy!  I was delighted to hear the good news.  But I was surprised “it had happened so quickly”…and quite honestly, disappointed that I had been allowed so little time to work on my essay…which I had planned to finish that night. 

From time to time, I have felt sorry for Mark that he was born to such a father as this!  Happy birthday, son: I love you.