WENDELL’S BALANCE SHEET

An 80th Birthday Ditty

VERSE 1

From Virden came young Wendell, To Duncan he did go,

And there he teamed with little Ray— And started quite a show!

They played some hoops for Duncan High, A formidable pair:

Wendell took the shots up high, And Ray took...well, down there!

For sixty-something years they’ve proved What friendship’s all about:

Wendell supplies the mischief— And Ray just rides it out!

CHORUS

That’s Wendell’s way, that’s Wendell’s style, Give him a piano, he’ll give you a smile.

A story, a song, and a “Dad Joke” or two,

And the room lights up whenever he is through..

For eighty years, through work and play,

You make this world brighter each and every day. So tonight, dear Wendell, we’re changing the view— You’ve spent your life lifting us...

Now we’re lifting you! VERSE 2

When Wendell’s dad needed help one day

With cows that must be fed,

“I’ve got just the guy!” volunteered Good old Ray’s helpful dad.

“Ray can milk them every morn!” The bargain then was struck.

Nobody bothered asking Ray— Apparently, tough luck!

But Ray’s house got fresh milk, So the books came out just fine. And Wendell’s gotten mileage From that story all this time!

VERSE 3

Then both went off on missions, Central and South America the call. They learned to speak in Spanish— Though Wendell knew it all!

If Ray forgot a Spanish word, He knew just what to do:

“Ask Wendell—he’s the dictionary!” And Wendell thought so too!

Then both became accountants, Where every cent was tracked. Though after sixty-something years, Ray still fact-checks Wendell’s facts!

CHORUS

That’s Wendell’s way, that’s Wendell’s style, A little bit of mischief and a great big smile. A story, a song, and a “Dad Joke” or two—

And the room lights up whenever he is through.

For eighty years, through work and play,

You make this world brighter each and every day. So tonight, dear Wendell, we’re changing the view— You’ve spent your life lifting us...

Now we’re lifting you! VERSE 4

At Mesa West Rotary,

When Happy Bucks were due,

If someone needed picking on, Ray always knew just who!

And birthdays were especially A chance for Wendell’s fun:

“Remember, Ray is so much OLDER!” Not by many months, only just by one!

When Ray turned eighty recently, A balloon appeared outside,

Announcing Ray’s advanced old age For all the countryside!

An independent audit Has verified it’s true:

Ray got to eighty first—

And there’s nothing he can do! VERSE 5

But when there’s work worth doing,

Those two stood side by side.

For the Gift of Hearing in Guaymas, They worked with joy and pride.

For thirty years that project

Helped thousands hear life’s song—

A voice, a laugh, a loved one’s words— The sounds they’d missed so long.

Two accountants counted numbers, But there’s one greater sum:

You cannot put a value

On the good that they have done.

VERSE 6

Then later life brought Sandra, Beautiful, inside and out,

And Wendell found new songs to sing— That’s what love’s about.

He’d sit down at his piano

And sing his sweetheart tunes. Some silly, some romantic— And some that made her swoon!

Two families joined together, And something grand was made: A great big loving family

Where love’s song always played.

THE BALANCE SHEET

Now Wendell knows his numbers, So let’s settle up tonight.

We’ll audit eighty years or so And see if they came out right.

His assets are his family. His dividends are friends.

His interest keeps on growing— Apparently, it never ends!

His credits are for kindness. His profits come in cheer.

His laughter’s paid us dividends For eighty splendid years.

Sixty-some odd years of Ray there— A questionable asset, perhaps— There’s Sandra and his family,

And countless songs and laughs.

There’s Rotary and service. There’s music, love and fun.

There are countless lives made richer By the things that Wendell’s done.

No CPA could total it.

No ledger has the space.

You’d need a thousand columns Just to hold each smiling face.