Surprise.

This week my mom turned, uh well a milestone age that she probably wouldn’t want mentioned. It was determined that the unofficial theme would be ‘surprises’. The first surprise starting a few days before the birthday. Her best friend from Nebraska flew in. This secret had to be kept by a few of us for a few months, which got increasingly hard to keep as the time got closer. I was designated to pick up this cargo, as mom would be less suspecting of me making up a false alibi. Returning from the airport, I led the way into the house, with mom and the family settled into the couch with the usual circus of children, doing whatever it is they do. Upon seeing this surprise visitor, mom’s blank stare lasted a few seconds and instantly turned into the biggest, loudest, most combustive explosion from her the I have ever seen. Jumping, screaming, yelling, crying, laughing, the works. All caught on video. Ah, relief, the secret is out and I don’t have to worry about inadvertently spilling the beans. Sike. Little did I know, that I was about to embark on yet another list of lies and secret keeping.

My brother decides to tell my Alaskan sister that if she was a good daughter she would come down for her mother’s birthday. Boom, it’s on! Mom and dad are both oblivious to this secret which makes it ever harder to keep. Sister flies in, and again, I am the cargo picker-upper. And again, another false alibi. This surprise-reveal took place in a public setting; Costco. Little did the shoppers of the Santa Cruz Costco know, that when they went shopping that morning that they would witness such a scream-fest! Sis and I knew that she was coming, so we hid in the bakery section, waiting. Mom and her Nebraskan friend come down the aisle and begin to look through the frozen seafood. I fish my camera out of my purse and turn the video recorder on. Sis walks up to mom and starts to nonchalantly chat her up about a bread purchase. Instant-mom-freak-out! ‘AAAHHHH!!!! What are you doing here?? AHH. I can’t believe you’re here!!!!!’ You know, pretty routine mom stuff! Again, all caught on video. Finally! The cat is out of the bag and I don’t have to worry and fret about accidentally saying too much.

Next, dad and friend take mom on a surprise boat ride on the famous Chardonnay, a local favorite that sails around the bay. They enjoyed a clear evening of food, wine, and stunning sights.

But the best surprise is still yet to come. Birthday dinner with all the family and a few friends to boot. Yummy food. Plenteous amounts of wine. Even a cake. All followed by presents. Yes, presents. She got some pretty good stuff. But the best present, which also turned out to be the best surprise, was from the eldest son. Something mom has been asking for. Something all of us secretly want but are too embarrassed to admit. Something no one can really live without once they own it. What am I referring to? The one and only; SNUGGIE!!!! Yes, that is correct. Mom got a Snuggie! Laughter and excitement ensued, while we all looked on and wished that we were the ones that got such a present! It got passed around and tried on by many of us (David, your Snuggie post came to mind, but I win cuz I have a pic of myself in one!). Wow. What a surprise. Mom counted her blessings and was so thankful for her week of surprises. Although she won’t admit, we all know her favorite surprise was the coveted Snuggie!