Surprise!

Larry and I had the fun opportunity to be invited to a surprise retirement party for a friend recently.  It's been a season of surprises, for we had just attended a surprise birthday party for another friend a few weeks earlier.  As with the last party, there was heightened anticipation as we awaited the arrival of the guest of honor.  As one would expect, our friend had a look of confusion, then delight, as he realized that everyone shouting "Surprise!" was looking at him.  The guest of honor is not one to like the spotlight to shine on him, so there was a bit of embarrassment mixed with the confusion and delight.  However, his remarks during the presentation were heartfelt and the crowd happy to be able to share in his special moment.  As I looked around at the assembled audience, I thought of how we draw people into our lives all along the way.  Each relationship helps form the people we become.  As each of those relationships unfolds, every day becomes a "Surprise!"