Yesterday began for us by getting ready for our exercises in the Parkway hot pool which turned out to be cool-ish rather than the too HOT pool of last week when we were told not to come. I had gotten up early, wrote my essay and finished sending it out before we left. Exercising at the pool always leaves us a bit limp and I tried to read while lying down in bed and, of course, fell asleep.
Carol woke me up telling me that someone was at the door - go and see who it was. I immediately woke up with my reflexes sharp and ready and followed her directions but wondering why SHE didn’t go to the door and see who was there. So, I complied with speed and vigor and walked swiftly to see who it was. I called out saying I was coming, opened the door and found, Daughter-in-law, Denise, Grandson, Jon, Granddaughter Emma and Son Hal grinning to see me with my mouth hanging open and flabbergasted at having been blindsided like this.
Of course it was Carol who kept me in the dark about all the back scenes planning to pull this off. I had no idea that this was one month in advance to my 80th birthday, a celebration that was a visit from the whole of my west coast family.
Some thoughts about being flabbergasted: I still cannot put it together that this surprise was being planned between coasts with me completely in the dark. I thought that this weekend (for our kids and grandkids were here for the WEEKEND), would be the usual; going to the Temple to hear an Israeli soldier on Friday night, to the Temple for Bible Study Saturday morning, lazing around the rest of Saturday and on Sunday to go to the movies and eat out afterwards. But Carol had planned otherwise and I had not a single hint about all the work she had to do to bring this off. I am so proud of her. She diligently kept me in the dark.
One, very important thing; the worldly conditions also had a hand in the way my west coast family was brought east. Getting them aboard a plane now takes up to four hours before enplaning including rushing to make it possible to take Jon’s Asthma medication in the plane. The makeshift security had no boxes where absolutely necessary medications could be brought aboard. That the British had learned of the plotters way in advance and had apprehended them BEFORE they carried out their plans was bittersweet. It doubled the difficulties of people trying to get from here to there. Flights were delayed to the point where airport car rentals were closed when they arrived.
Makeshift arrangements made my 80th possible. It has not yet sunk in that they are here and we are all together. What a wonderful idea, a wonderful wife and a wonderful time to be together with them all!