Surprises!!

It was a great weekend. Aren't surprise birthdays fun? We surprised our good friend, Bruce Main, for his 60th birthday. Melanie gathered a few of us at her house in Sugar Grove and he had no idea. It was such a great evening of renewing friendships. I love to sit back at parties such as that and watch the interaction between such good friends. I realized that alot of the things I learned about adult friendships, I learned from Bruce and Trish Main. They are such good friends and have such good qualities of friendship instilled in them. Every time we are with them, it is as if we were never apart. That is a wonderful feeling and we know that we could call them anytime about anything. Such a blessing in our lives.

Not really a surprise, but Sunday was Jenni's 24th birthday. She got a nice surprise and was called off work that day. So she was able to spend the day however she wanted. That's what birthdays are for!!! I had to work though, but I caught up with her about 4:00 after she had enjoyed some alone time shopping just for herself. David fixed our supper, her birthday supper and then it was time for her to go home. She teasingly said that for her birthday she wished someone would drive her home. (She lives in Minier, about a 25 minute drive, and she is 8 months pregnant--tires very easily, legs are about worn out!!) I SURPRISED her and said sure we will. So, I drove her home, after a quick stop at Culver's for a birthday ice cream treat, and her Dad followed us in our car, so he could bring me home. Being in the car alone with one of your children, however old they are, is such a great place for conversation, usually uninhibited conversation. In my old age, I am finallly learning to take full advantage of those times.

My other surprise of the weekend came tonight, (not really the weekend, but sounds good for story telling :) ) I had planned on taking my mom shopping tonight after work. We had decided to go together and get a vanity table for my grandaughter Adrianna's 9th birthday, which we will be celebrating this Saturday. So I picked up Mom went directly to Target, and bought our item. She used her Discover card for her half. I dropped her off at her house and not even 45 minutes later she called and said "What am I going to get Adrianna for her birthday?" I guess I am calling this a surprise, because it is still a surprise to me that she cannot remember things just like this. So I gently reminded her that we had just been to Target and she used her charge card. She was flustered because she did not have the receipt. My mistake....I should have given her the receipt to help her remember. Beleive me, that won't be the last of it. She will call again and ask the same thing. When she gets to the party, she might not remember that her package is already here and paid for. Dementia is so scary and we all feel so helpless in how to help her. We have given her calendars, post it notes, and all kinds of reminders, but they don't always work. It's funny how there are some things she never forgets, like her hair appointments for instance, and she plays the organ wonderfully. Oh well, she is happy, can dress herself, and can take herself to the bathroom, which we are daily thankful for. (She just called again, and asked if she used her Discover card tonight.)

Speaking of surprises, again, as in most blogs I write, I am wondering what surprise the Lord has around the corner for me. I can never be sure what will be along my path, but I am sure of WHO will be there with me.