Special Birthday Request

by Woody

STRAW_CoverWoody’s new book STRAWBERRIES IN WINTERTIME: Essays on Life, Love, and Laughter is available for Pre-Order HERE NOW! In time for the holidays!

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Turning Down a Birthday Request

            The letter writer was polite, almost apologetic, and full of praise. Also, as is often the case when readers reach out to me, had a request.

“First of all, thanks for taking the time to read this email,” Chuck Herrera began. “I would like to say I enjoy reading your column every Saturday in the Ventura County Star and also in the past had enjoyed your sports write ups in the Star-Free Press.

“I just recently got a great tip last week in The Star about a cool book sale in Santa Paula where I purchased all kinds of great books and music. I tell you, my purchases were the best entertainment value I have had in quite some time.

“In the digital age, I still prefer turning book pages. A couple of books of interest I picked up were “Jim Murray: The Last of the Best” and your book “Wooden & Me” which I plan on giving to one of my brothers for Christmas. He is a huge Coach Wooden fan.

“Another reason I am writing . . .”

Aha, after the introductory butter-up here comes the favor request.

“. . . is because I have five brothers and the one I plan on giving your book to, his name is Ron, and it happens to be his birthday on Christmas Day. And this year is a special birthday for him.

“He is turning 60, which for him is truly a miracle because Ron was born in 1955 and he was born with Spina Bifida with a slim-to-none chance to survive. But my parents refused to believe that and took him home and cared for him and loved him. If there were a Parents Hall of Fame, they would have been first-time ballot selections.

“Ron is amazing. He has never kicked a football in his life, but by studying books, film, clinics, etc., he learned. He volunteers and coaches high school-level football kickers from Buena to currently Rio Mesa High School. He also coaches Freshman Basketball. The kids love him and he loves coaching.

“For all the times Ron has been in and out of hospitals, months at a time in some instances, and even the times we thought we were saying our final ‘goodbyes’ to him, he has never once felt sorry for himself or complained about one of the million things he could complain about.”

Having a hold on my attention, and my heart, Chuck then added my favorite Wooden-ism to try and seal the deal: “Ron just goes about Making Every Day His Masterpiece.

“My request, if possible,” Ron concludes, finally getting to The Big Ask, “is we are celebrating his Big 60 with a big celebration for him on Saturday, December 26th. If you could give him a birthday shout-out in your column that Saturday, he would love it! If you can’t, I understand.

“Thanks for your time,

“Chuck Herrera”

Well, Chuck, I obviously cannot wish your brother Ron a birthday shout-out in print today. It would simply set a bad precedent.

I mean, if I granted your request the next thing I know every remarkable person kicking Spina Bifida’s butt for six decades and serving as an inspiration and role model for the rest of us on how to slam dunk self-pity and instead Make Each Day Our Masterpiece, no matter the challenges we face, would all want me to do the same for them.

There are just so many important things I should write about in my column. For instance, “Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” which is all everyone is talking about these days. I really should offer my two-cent review.

Or perhaps share my New Year’s resolutions or predictions for 2016. And, of course, there’s always El Nino to write about as well as the verbal El Nino known as Donald Trump. And on and on.

So, Chuck, thanks for your letter but I just can’t honor your request. Sorry. I hope you understand. Maybe next year I can find a small space in my column to offer a “Happy Birthday, Ron!” shout-out.

Sincerely,

Woody

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Woody Woodburn writes a weekly column for The Ventura County Star and can be contacted at WoodyWriter@gmail.com.

Wooden&Me_cover_PRCheck out my new memoir WOODEN & ME: Life Lessons from My Two-Decade Friendship with the Legendary Coach and Humanitarian to Help “Make Each Day Your Masterpiece”