On this day for the last fifteen or twenty years I had an annual phone call to make. I would call the mother of a dear friend. One of my closest buddies and the guy that stood next to me on my wedding day.
The phone call started out… “Hello Mrs. Hamilton this is John Shepley calling.”
“John Shepley, how are you doing?”
“Everything is good Mrs. H… Hey listen… I just wanted to thank you today. Thank you for giving me a great buddy. Your son Billy has been a dear friend who has stuck with me through thick and thin. So thank you for bringing him into the world Mrs. Hamilton.”
Every year I’d thank her on Billy’s birthday. It became something I looked forward to doing. There were some years I’d forget to call her son and just talk to her. Eventually I found out that Mrs. Hamilton expected that phone call and she cherished receiving it every year.
The last few years Mrs. Hamilton started to feel her age. Hell… the lady had enough kids to fill a baseball diamond. She and Mr. Hamilton raised them all in a small four square in the southwest corner of Oak Park. She had a good excuse to slow down in her twilight.
So these last few years I’d call her, thank her and talk about life’s events. In the conversation she would ask several times how the Shepkids are, how old they are and their names. Then we would talk about something else and again she’d ask the questions about the Shepkids. I’d repeat their names and their ages and then we would talk about funny stories from the past.
… and then again she would ask about the Shepkids. She was slipping in age, but she knew what was important….. my children. A typical loving mother.
Now here is where the story takes a turn. The last five years Mrs. Hamilton would forget who called when she saw my number on her caller ID.
So she would call the number back and she would call it back and she would call it back.
Shirley Hamilton and I would have the same annual “Billy’s Birthday Phone-call” conversation a half dozen times and every time she asked about the Shepkids.
Well, this year I won’t be calling Mrs. Hamilton on the telephone. I’ll thank her in my prayers. I’m sure Don Shepley will go over and say hello. He loved Billy Hamilton.
This is a good tradition. I don’t know why I started it. Think about who your dearest friend is. You wouldn’t have that friend if it wasn’t for their mother. If you can… call her.
It will make her feel ecstatic and you will be happy after you hang up the phone.
I’ve already picked out a new mom to call on her son’s birthday. Hopefully I can call her for many years.
I just know one thing… I’m going to make the call from an anonymous number.
Today is rugby day….. Six Nations begin today. My favorite rugby tournament that includes England, Scotland, Ireland, Wales, Italy and France.
If you know Billy Hamilton, give him a text or call. This is his first birthday without his mommy.
