The Surprise
Written by Ann Pietrangelo on August 31st, 2009 in Conversations, Family & Friends.
My son was in his senior year at a university half a country away, about a 13-hour drive. He lead me to believe that with summer classes and his work at a PBS television station, he would be unable to squeeze in a visit that summer. Naturally, I understood his reasons, but was saddened nonetheless.
I hadn’t picked up on the clues. His strange questions about my bedtime, my travel plans, etc. One Wednesday afternoon I called his cell phone and he abruptly cut me off, saying he had just arrived at work and would have to call me later, if I would be home. I told him I would.
Later that evening, I received a call from him. He said he and a couple of his friends were considering a road trip before summer’s end, and if they decided to go ahead, would we mind if they all dropped in for a few days? I was bubbling over with excitement and started asking when he envisioned this trip, when I was disconnected. As I frantically tried to get him back on the phone, the doorbell rang. Lousy timing! I called out for my husband to please answer the door, because I just had to get back on the phone.
As I was dialing for the third time, I paced by the front door to see my husband standing there with the door wide open, looking at me, a strange look on his face. Just beyond him stood my son, phone in hand and a sly smile on his face. I’ll never forget the picture of him standing there. Several yards behind him stood his two friends, kids… well, young men now, that I’d known most of their lives.
Over the next few days we got to reminisce, laugh, play cards, share meals and reconnect. That was two summers ago now, but it still makes me smile to think about my wonderful surprise, forevermore a cherished memory.
September 3rd, 2009 at 9:23 pm
I’m sure it’s one of the happiest moment of your life. What a surprise! I guess it will really forever be like that for it involve your family, your son and his friends.
Cheers!