16Sep 08
In Honor of a Hero
posted by
Webster’s 1828 dictionary defines a ‘hero’ as: A man of distinguished valor, intrepidity or enterprise in danger. Saturday, September 6th, we honored such an one. One who has willingly stood up against the onslaught of evil, led in the face of danger, and given vision amidst a hopeless world. Who was this ‘such an one?’ Mark Charles Wilkes, better known in our family as, ‘Dad.’
On that Saturday night we had the joy of surprising him with a 50th birthday party. Each member of the Wilkes Team contributed key ideas and support so that all came together.
Dear friends and extended family graciously and eagerly gathered together to celebrate.
So much was planned for the evening to include a donut eating contest, a game of ‘
Occupations,’ & much precious fellowship with friends & family from near and far, new & old. Around 6:00, all present were invited to the recently finished basement (compliments of Matthew’s hard labors). Decked with the 
finest of Mom’s china and birthday decor, tables with close to 50 place settings awaited. Through the leadership & amazing planning of Mom with her team of cooks, a first class meal of Chicken Milano, 
pasta & sauce, garlic potatoes (from the garden – yum), bread sticks, fruit & lettuce salads, & more were neatly arranged on a series of tables thus creating a scrumptious buffet – Honey Brook Cafe would make its debut 
.
The dinner was a joyous one full of medicinal laughter, renewing of friendships, making of new ones, and uplifting 
exhortations. A little after 7:00, a presentation was made to Dad. Each letter, poem, and song shared during this time were meaningful representations of the impact Dad has made on his sphere’s of influence. Here is what Markie had to say:
Dear Daddy, You encourage me to endure even when things go wrong and press forward to the high calling of God. Thank you also for reading the Bible with me and taking the time to explain what was read. I love you and I want to lead my family someday as you are leading.
Many dear people contributed notes which were compiled into a beautiful journal that will be treasured for years to come. Thank you to all of you who wrote!
We appreciate you Dad and pray the Lord will give you many more years of ministering to the needs of those around you. Thank you for being our hero. Happy 50th Birthday!
What fun that was. Good job Wilkes team. May God bles you Daddy!
Incredible! I wish I could have been in the basement that night! That must have taken weeks of preparation. But I’m sure it was definitely worth it for such a hero.
…I really would have liked to see the donut competition…looks like Kenan was hungry.
That was an awesome evening! What a joy it was to bless such a man! There was no way it all would have come together except by the joyous help of everyone.
Rolling out 70+ bread sticks. Working as a team to decorate the basement with only a little time to spare! Serving all the guests, and getting special tips from Caterer Extraordinaire(Mom)on how to present things and serve the food. It was a blast!
There was so many little things that had to be done and everyone was so willing to take a job and fulfill it to the best of their ability.
O, the memories that were made! I won’t forget the umbrella story while you picked up the last minute things at the store in the rain Josh! Or bringing home balloons in the RAIN!
Trying to keep Dad out of the basement so it would stay a surprise.