My sister Sandy drove up yesterday from Omaha, NE and forewarned them that she was coming for a visit. She did not, however, tell them that she would be stopping in Minot, ND first to pick up our sister, Cathy, who flew in from Portland, OR to surprise Dad. They worked it out so that Cathy stayed hidden in the vehicle when Sandy pulled into Dad and Beverly's yard. Sandy then distracted them while Cathy snuck into the house and sat in "Dad's chair" in the kitchen, where she was when he came in later with Sandy and found his chair occupied! That was Surprise #1.
Today they had to drive to Bismarck for a doctor's appointment for Beverly in the morning. They were done and could have left town again around noon, but Beverly and my sisters stalled, asking Dad to drive them from shop to shop around town so that they could browse throughout the afternoon. He saw through their stalling tactics and guessed (correctly) that they were delaying until suppertime so that we Dickinson Mobergs could be done with work and school and drive to Bismarck to meet them. When we showed up in the lobby of the Texas Roadhouse restaurant, where they were already waiting for our reserved table, Dad was happy to see us but not really shocked. That was (Non-)Surprise #2.
We had a delicious meal with excellent service and enjoyed seeing one another again. Dad opened our cards and teared up at the sincere, sentimental wording in each. He soon discovered that we all had given him an identical gift tucked into each card: $70 worth of gas cards from each of us! Cathy, Sandy, and I had discussed it in advance and decided that it was appropriate (suited the theme of "70") and practical (for their wintertime driving around the country in the motorhome), and it served as Surprise #3.
Cathy and Beverly had arranged for local (Tioga, ND) cake bakers to make a birthday cake for Dad decorated with an accordian (an instrument that Dad is well known for playing, from his early years of playing it in The Dakota Playboys--a band of which he was a member--to his current gigs playing in the community for local celebrations and as weekly entertainment at the nursing home in Tioga). When they set that before him in the restaurant, he was moved to tears. Surprise #4!
It was difficult to part tonight; we lingered a long while in the parking lot, knowing full well that we should be getting on the road for the long drives back home but delaying the moment when we would have to say goodbye to family members not seen often enough. The girls and I helped to wear out Dad and Beverly's dog, Bandy, by taking her for multiple runs around the parking lot, and then we drove our separate ways. We'll see Sandy again this weekend when she drives through Dickinson to stay a few days before heading back to Omaha. I will see Cathy at the end of the month when I travel to Portland for a conference. I don't know when we'll see Dad and Beverly again, but it was surely nice seeing them tonight. Happy birthday, Daddy!
Abigail, Sandy, Hillary, Cathy, and Suzanna are eager for the food to arrive.
Beverly, Dad, and I are eager, too, for the food to get to the table!
See why I was so impatient?! Delicious chicken and ribs in barbecue sauce, baked beans, and chili with a tall, cold beer and a side of fresh-baked bread with honey-cinnamon butter
Dad enjoying a card and its contents: the $70 of gas cards
Happy tears at the surprise of the cake, its appropriate theme (accordian), and a bunch of birthday surprises!
I think we'll have to trade pictures with Sandy -- I'm in one of hers :-) It was a lovely party, and I'm glad you were able to stay awake for the drive home! :-)
ReplyDeleteArron wanted to go to Texas Roadhouse for his birthday meal. As usual the food was great. Did your dad get to "ride" on the saddle while the crew sang a song? My mother kept wondering when they were going to come over to Arron. He might think I'm a mean mom, but I'm not that mean.
ReplyDeleteWe both had the same idea in mind while taking pictures. But it's still fun to see the others' photos. And...I'm glad that Dad hadn't figured out the whole plan. I told him that too! ;)
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