The Conductor (By Danielle Witwer and Family)

The Conductor (By Danielle Witwer and Family)

Miriam and I have been friends since our 20s. We have stood in each other’s weddings, raised our children side by side, and built a family bond so tight that my kids only recently learned Miriam is not technically related to us. For years, they have called her “Aunt Miriam,” and Noah has been part of the tribe since birth.

Even so, Noah still manages to surprise us and make us laugh. Sometimes it is his trademark “Hi Aunt Danielle” on the phone, immediately followed by a mysterious hang-up. Other times it is climbing into my husband’s lap just to snag his baseball hat. Noah always finds a way to leave his mark.

If Noah ever held a job, I am convinced he would be a mayor. He is always the first to greet us at the door, waving like royalty and announcing our arrival.

Most recently, he decided to add “party conductor” to his résumé at my daughter Mackenna’s birthday celebration. It was a surprise party, so the plan was simple. Everyone would stay quiet until Mackenna walked through the door. Then we would all shout “Happy Birthday!” A straightforward plan for most, but Noah elevated it to a performance. He not only followed the instructions, he delivered them with flair.

The moment Mackenna appeared, Noah threw his arms into a grand conductor motion, bellowed “Happy Birthday” at full volume, and sang like the star of the show. The room erupted in laughter, Mackenna giggled, and the surprise turned into something even better. It was a perfect opening act, orchestrated by none other than Noah, our one-man symphony.