Welcome to Episode Five of Momday Motivations in which I share enticing tidbits of my impending memoir. Due to an earlier than expected Christmas miracle, I’m cheating a bit with today’s post.
What’s the miracle? Well … pssssssstttt … lean in and I’ll share …
… my son arrived home a day early! Yes! Those scallywag children of mine concocted this huge secret leaving me under the impression that he was coming home for Christmas tonight.
The plans for today were: to have a lovely coffee and catchup with a friend, and then do the final tweaks on my Momday Motivations writeup, followed up by a thorough prep for the lad’s return. You know, Just TypiKel last-minute stuff – wash the bed linen, vacuum his room, tidy up the bunny’s quarters (his rabbit, thank you, yes she is still thriving, despite being left at home by mistake that time) before leaving to pick him up at the airport tonight.
Ha!
An Earlier Than Expected Christmas Miracle
Last night I was just finishing up a batch of gingerbread cookies (don’t tell Francine, they’re a surprise for her. She does like a “big cookie.”)
when my daughter returned home early from “a dinner out with a friend.” She burst through the door at about 8:30pm shouting something about “getting a gift … dirt and succulents … heavy … help me bring them in from the car …”
Naturally, with it pouring rain outside and cookies almost ready to come out of the oven, I was a tad rude. Grumbling about the poor timing, I jumped into my coat and threw on a pair of boots and headed out into the dark. There, lumbering up the steps with a huge suitcase, was my son, beaming at me. He’s grown a foot since October, I’m sure of it.
Turns out, my two have always wanted to pull this surprise on me, get me thinking that one of them is arriving home later than they actually are. This time they managed to pull it off.
Needless to say, any plans for crafting a Momday Motivations piece went out the window. After bursting into tears of joy, I spent the rest of the evening listening to my son’s stories of exams, thesis deadlines and saying goodbyes to good friends who are moving on to new chapters in their lives. Big changes are afoot in his world.
Sitting there and soaking it all up, I forgot all about writing.
My solution?
To once again, share that hysterically funny solution Francine came up with when she discovered she’d forgotten her bathing suit on one of our overseas buying trips for the store. I was absolutely gobsmacked. You will be, too. Trust me.
Please simply click below to find out the extraordinary “swim costume” she came up with.
https://culturestories.co/open-book-travel-diaries/
Enough about me and an earlier than expected Christmas miracle. I’m curious about you. Have you ever been so surprised that you worried for your health? Are you also fond of “big cookies?”Are you like me and think you’ve still got lashings of time to prep for Christmas only to discover time is fast running out? Better yet, what’s the best festive miracle you’ve ever encountered? If you’d care to share, I’d love to hear.
16 Responses
Sniff! I smell my 14yo’s hair just because he’s growing up and will leave my house one day. Yes, I’m that mom.
Can I get one of those lumberjack-esque babies in which to squish my face? Looks heavenly.
So glad you’re lad returned home early and kudos to your thoughtful and silly kids for pulling this off!
Oh, Katy, it’s true! Time zooms past ever so quickly. That lumberjack-esque lad will be 23 before we know it and plotting surprise early returns with his brother and sister! He’s already moving on to solid food. Crikey.
What a fabulous surprise! Enjoy the time together!
Thank you, Lisa. The first week or so of the big return is always a tad interesting as everyone shifts into “back at home with Mom” gear. Ha! I’m looking forward to the second week!
Best surprise ever !! Well done M & H ? Oh and thanks for making me cry ?
It truly was wonderful, Janice. They got me hook, line and sinker. Sorry about the tears!
That is the most wonderful surprise, and the best part is their planning it together, I bet they loved it !! Those cookies look amazing, and definitely Francine sized !!
Yes, they are relishing in their cleverness, Jane. First time to totally surprise the old gal!
How wonderful! Have a love-filled Christmas season, Kelly!
Aw, thank you so very much, Corinne. I wish you the very same.
Kelly,
That’s fabulous!! Good on you guys for pulling it off!!
Having been on the receiving end of one of those surprises myself I know just how much they mean. I’m my case I was surprised at the IHOP by the early homecoming of the first born child. After weeping and gasping and generally creating I’m sure an embarrassing fuss I promptly left him to head home with his sister and friend to create order from his torn apart bedroom (well I was doing a deep clean… along with roasting the fatted calf). And me what did I do? I went to meet you and treat myself at one of Frankie’s art shows ?
Oh wow, Mary! What a wonderful memory. I do thank you for sharing it and please know that it had me tearing up. I remember when you popped over to that art show and had forgotten that it was the day B and G surprised you!
You just got the best Christmas present ever 🙂
I did, indeed.
What a wonderful surprise, I’m a tad envious! I have to go to mine because they can’t come home for Christmas! Merry Christmas ?
Isn’t it grand though that we’re living in a time where we can “go to them?” Merry Christmas to you and yours!