Today was very special.  It was Tom's 60th Birthday Surprise Party at Anthonys Fine Restaurant.  There were 23 in attendance which included our three sons and one of our daughters.  It was an adult only party.  Sharalee arranged everything.  Our long time friends, Mark & Lisa, picked us up with the objective of stalling us until everyone else could get to the restaurant.  It was so funny cause Mark was driving real slow, took the longest possible route, took a wrong exit, made extra stops along the way to look at a trailer, etc.  (totally unlike him... especially when it is meal time)  His wife kept nagging him about being slow and our supposed "reservation".  She was actually just trying to appear "normal" to cover for his stalling around.  It was very funny when you knew what they were doing.  Frankly, I didn't know which side to jump in on.  The timing of our arrival was perfect!!!! 

Our eldest son, Jeffrey, started by sharing... several things about his father which made an impression over the years.  (It was done kind of like a memorial service... only the person being remembered hadn't died yet.)  Jeff shared about Tom being an affectionate father, breaking from his family tradition.  He shared about a time when Tom had humbled himself and asked his little 8 years old son (Jeff) to forgive him.  He shared about Tom being firm in discipline which has made a difference in his life. 

And he told about the most difficult time of all in Jeff & Connie's lives as a young married couple when their only little baby girl was taken from them by death.  Tom, as dad came rushing to their side, giving loving firm affectionate support.  In this case, embracing Jeff, father & son, man to man. 

He shared funny stuff and serious stuff and everyone ended up with tears in their eyes... even Jeff was so emotional at the end that he had to pause to regain his composure before finishing up.  Then various other people shared mostly funny stuff.  It was a very, very special time.  Actually it was kind of humbling to have so many people take time out of their busy lives and even come from out of town to bless my dear sweet husband.  He was touched.  I think we were all touched.  (One of the ladies who isn't literal family had just delivered a baby 5 days earlier by Caesarian section.  She came to honour Tom.  How sweet!!!)  How blessed we truly are! 

On the way out, our pastor asked Jeff if he would like to do the message at church tomorrow morning.  Jeff lives out of town and doesn't even attend there!!!  I wonder what our pastor would have said if Jeff would have answered, "sure I would love to!!"

Well, it has been lots of laughs and memories.  God is so good!!!