My Friend .... Wayne

Today is a very reflective day for me.
Today (well tomorrow) marks the forth anniversary of the death of my very best friend Wayne. I knew Wayne for at least forty years. I was Wayne’s day camp counselor for crying out loud. We laughed together, wept together, and he was the best friend a guy could ask for. I was an usher at his wedding to Jocelyn and remember fondly buying a few stuffed toys for his first born Terry. His daughter Wendy Elizabeth is possibly the sweetest girl a dad could ask for. Oh there were times I am sure Wendy could have crowned her pop but at the end of the day she was daddy’s little girl.
I also remember the ice storm of ’98, while everyone else was moaning and bitching Wayne and family threw a party, food on the barby and a huge fire in the fireplace and everyone signing and laughing
A party at Wayne’s was never a small affair, usually a mere twenty or thirty people were there. Everyone was feed and watered and Wayne always had time for everyone. Little kids were attracted to Wayne’s lap like metal to a magnet. He could cook like a madman. He had a laugh that could make you laugh and a smile that was contagious. Many times he was my rock and crying shoulder, and practiced the “you have two ears and one mouth use them it that proportion” syndrome. Wayne door was always open and the tea like magic tea was only moments away. He treated friends like family and family like gold. One would be hard pressed to find a person who had a bad thing to say about Wayne.
One of my fondest memories was being at The Brookes for Christmas Eve when it was my pleasure to read from the Bible the Christmas story and Wayne read the Twas the Night before Christmas. After Wayne’s death it became my honor to read the very same. At the dinner table as it should be Wayne sat at the head of the table. That place is now reserved for me. Years have gone by but Jocelyn, Terry and Wendy keep all of these fine traditions, thank you
I wrote a few words to speak at Wayne’s funeral but a huge lump in my throat and tears in my eyes prevented me from speaking. The turn out was huge, lots and lots of family but amazingly an unbelievable turn out of Terry and Wendy’s friends, probably the first funeral service for many for you see Wayne was like a dad. It was rare that you went to the Brookes household and one of the friends weren’t there.
I am sad that he is gone and miss him greatly but feel rich for having him as a friend……….. my best friend.
Rest well Wayne