REFLECTIONS

Some people say they do not like surprises. Other people like surprises because they can have more time with family.

You could say I was a recent victim of a well-planned surprise by my wife Judy.

It was a happy time to open the front door at midnight this one particular night and see grandchildren Kaley, Jenna and Ryan standing with big smiles on their faces. They had pulled it off.

Judy told me some time ago that I needed a grandchild fix. More than four weeks ago, Judy started her planning.

Ryan wanted to be part of the surprise. It was doubtful he could fly from Arizona to Minnesota because he was on the work schedule for Frey’s Grocery store. He used some forceful words on his supervisor like, “I’m going regardless of what you say.”

Grandma Judy did not know Ryan was going to be part of the surprise.

On the day the trip started, father Troy received a call from me at about 11 p.m. Troy answered the phone, saying, “I was just going to call you.” Troy and I talked about sports collecting until way past midnight.

While Troy was talking on the phone, Judy got nervous because I turned off the outside porch light.

“We don’t need that light on,” I said to Judy. Waiting a few minutes, she turned the light on again to signal that everything was going on as scheduled.

“Tap, tap” at the door: “Who’s coming here at midnight,” I wondered.

Nancy (the grandkids’ mom) was in telephone contact with the grandkids from the time they landed in Minneapolis. I was getting inquisitive and began asking where the kids were.

Nancy said the girls were at a movie and were going to the Cheesecake Factory afterwards. I was told Ryan was at work. Both of these statements were believable.

A little later, Nancy had phoned Troy and said the girls were about 10 minutes away from home. I was oblivious to what was going on.

The bewitching hour arrived, and the grandkids were about to start an eight-day stay with Grandma and Grandpa.

We had a blast over the time they stayed with us. With only one bedroom, the kids were told they would need to sleep on an air bed. They didn’t mind.

Kaley made a request to visit her college alma mater, Luther College in Decorah, Iowa. It was a fun time, as this was the first time she had been at the school since she graduated six years ago.

We wandered around the quiet campus (no kids yet) and drove around to see where Kaley lived during her student time at Luther.

Feeling an urge to have some food, we went to the T Bock’s restaurant, a favorite of Kaley. Oh yes, we went to the “Wippy Dip” before we started for home.

The rest of the week was devoted to going to the movies for Ryan and me. We saw the new Indiana Jones and Mission Impossible movies.

We took Ryan to see a friend in New Richmond, Wis. Kaley, Jenna, Judy, and I spent the free time walking the streets of Stillwater.

Our favorite stops were two candy stores in Stillwater. We had a burger at Leo’s. It is located  just a stone’s throw away from the walking bridge.

During the grandkids’ stay, we also visited the Red Oak Grove cemetery. Many of my relatives, including daughter Tammi and my parents, are buried there.

We also drove by my parents’ farm home (where I grew up). The house is now owned by Mel and June Kahler. It is so rewarding to see how well the Kahlers have kept up the house and some out buildings, including the barn.

What a surprise! Judy and I have taken a deep breath, awaiting another surprise. Oh, by the way, our grandkids live in Surprise, Ariz.