Thoughtful Surprises

Last week as Matt and his dad were preparing to leave for an event that didn’t include moms, I got a phone call from a friend. “I have an extra ticket to the Nutcracker Ballet in Spokane,” she said. My friend became ill and can’t use it. Would you like it?”

Oh boy, I thought. This was quite a surprise! I wondered if she knew I had wanted to go to this ballet for some time. “Yes!” I told her without reservation. “It is so nice of you to think of me!” This could not have been better timing. The guys were going to be gone on that evening, and I would most likely not have accepted had they been home.

When I got off the phone and told Matt about it, I could tell he was very happy for me. “Well, she said she would call me tomorrow to let me know for sure. We should pray her friend gets well.”

The next day, we were outside cleaning Skeeter’s stall when the phone call came. Her friend was still not feeling well and would have to relinquish her ticket. I hate being happy to someone else’s demise; and honestly, I would have been thrilled if she had gotten better and been able to use the ticket herself, but that was not the case…so “happy” (with some reservation) works.

When we got done with our chores, I went in to the house to decide what I should wear. Matt was still outside finishing up some work and I could see him from the window. Pretty soon, my phone rang; it was Matt. “Can you tell Dad to come out here?” he asked. “Sure,” I said, not thinking too much about it. Next thing I knew they were both coming back into the house, and I saw Matt go to the Christmas stockings hanging on the fireplace.

“There’s nothing in there yet,” I told him. I thought he was checking to see if he had any gifts, yet. To my surprise he pulled something out, and with a smile on his face he handed me a small wrapped package.

“We thought you could use this, today,” he said.

“But it isn’t Christmas, yet!” I argued.

“Well I want you to have a new dress to go to the ballet tonight, Mom. It’s a gift certificate.”

I could not have been more surprised! I didn’t argue anymore. I saw the thoughtfulness in his heart and it moved me to tears. I could not have been more proud of my son. This was a gift certificate that he bought with his own money for my Christmas present, but he understood the need of the moment. He had asked his dad, and his dad agreed and gave permission to give it to me early. This isn’t the first time my son has done something like that for me. I will have to write about the Alan Jackson tickets sometime. OH MY!!

This was looking like it was going to turn out to be a pretty special day. So I rushed to town to spend my gift and still be back in time to get ready for the ballet. I had no problem finding a dress and even bought some earrings, as well.

Pretty awesome…I’ve got shopping, “dress up” and a night out with the girls. And this all in one day! My guys are having fun on an adventure of their own; so, it’s all with out guilt! Well almost…if only the young lady hadn’t been sick!

As for the ballet – it was A-mazing! And the time with the girls, very special, indeed - they’re pretty thoughtful, too!  I'm feeling very blessed and a lot like Christmas.