A Surprise Party

With a milestone birthday approaching, my sweet family planned a surprise for me. Actually there were several surprises. It began Friday evening, Steve and I were watching t.v. and Annie was on the computer when the door bell rang and the dog barked. Company! For some reason, I just sat there. I usually get up and go to the door, but this time I didn't. Annie got up, Steve got up, and I stayed on the couch. Steve said, "Hey, this is someone we know, come on in!" And I turned around and SURPRISE, there were Kami and Andrew, who had driven up from St. Louis to wish me an early Happy Birthday. We enjoyed the evening together and laughed at the fact that I hadn't suspected a thing when Annie announced she was going upstairs to clean her room earlier in the day.

The next morning was lazy and uneventful. Late in the morning, Steve and I went to take the dog for his regular walk. When we came back to the house, another SURPRISE! Dusty, Will and Eldon had driven up from Tuscola. The table was set beautifully, there was a vase of roses, food cooking in the oven, and all of the random clutter that adorns the house was picked up and put away neatly. We weren't gone that long!! We enjoyed a delicious meal of fresh garden salad, baked lasagna, and garlic bread. The girls not only prepared everything but also served us. It was lovely. For dessert we had a hummingbird cake that was absolutely delightful.

The table set with Kami and Andrew's fine china and a lovely tablecloth.

The beautiful rose bouquet. Two purple ones for me and Steve, eight red ones for our six children and two sons-in-law, and one salmon rose for our grandson, Eldon.

I received very thoughtful and wonderful gifts as well, and each one held another SURPRISE as I pulled out the tissue paper or untied the strings. Andrew got the coveted "cry" as I read the very sweet words he wrote in my card. (Once at Christmas I opened a present that brought tears to my eyes and ever since then my children try to make me cry.)


One of the greatest gifts of being a family is that no matter how undeserving you are, there are those who love you just the same. They can see you at your worst and continually forgive you. They also instill a desire in you to be better than you can imagine yourself to be. Forgiveness and encouragement are "good and perfect gifts," and my family are good at giving them. It's no secret why- they take after their Father above, the Giver of all such gifts.

Me, Annie, Kami holding Eldon, Andrew, Dusty, Steve, Will holding Indy (not pictured are our sons Calen, John and Jacob)