January 27, 2008

Nick and I spent the better part of Friday night and Saturday morning preparing for Gar’s surprise birthday party later that afternoon. A small, intimate affair for about 20 close friends and family. All week long we had plotted and carefully staged how we were going to carry out the surprise. Being that it was his 50th (and official entry into the geriatric class), we opted for a 3pm ‘Early Bird’ gathering (that’s important to note for later).

Amazingly, we managed to keep it a secret all week long. On top of that, we had a HUGE surprise awaiting Gary later. Saturday morning, Nick and I left the house to - what Gary thought - go grocery shopping and run errands. Instead, we grabbed party foods and headed over to the co-conspirator’s (Jo’s) house.

Fast-forward about 1-1/2 hours… We’re blowing up balloons (well, Jo and I were - Nick was having a tough time as shown in the pic) and decorating for the party. We put the finishing touches on decorating, clean up and throw out the evidence, and make our way back home.

It’s 1:30pm. Nick and I walk in with some groceries we had picked up (to cover our tracks). We put the groceries away. Gar made himself some lunch, and then laid down on the couch. It’s 2:14pm.

Gar: I’m gonna take a short nap.
Moi (looking at Nick, my eyes bugged out): Wha–? Why didn’t you take one while we were out? You know we’re supposed to go back out shopping. I wanted to go early ’cause I don’t want to be out late.
Nick (winking at me): Yeah Dad, let’s go about 3.
Gar: My head is killin’ me! I just want to close my eyes for a while - about an hour, maybe two.
Moi: Can’t you take one later? We won’t be gone that long.

Gar/Nick/Moi: blah, blah, blah…

No luck. Gar’s determined he’s not going to go until he’s had a nap. We’re fiercely determined he is. I walk away and come back with some baby aspirin - handing them to Gar. “Here - take these.”

Gar starts to doze off.

I follow Nick back to his room. We have to come up with an alternate plan. Huge argument? No. Loud music or other noise? No. Geez - what to do? We were doing our best to keep Gar half-awake by walking back and forth talking loudly. A phone call comes in and I make sure Gar hears it. Still, he’s firmly entrenched in the couch, eyes closed.

Finally, we come to the conclusion we’re gonna have to tell him something - ’cause it’s now 2:55pm.

Moi: Gar, wake up. We have to be somewhere at 3:15. We can’t cancel it. We can’t reschedule.
Gar: What? It’d better not be a surprise party. I’ll kill ya. You know I hate them.
Moi: Don’t worry - it’s not. (Yeah, I’m going to hell in a handbasket.)
Gar: Where’re we going?
Nick: We’re not telling you. Just get up and get ready.

Finally - after much persuasion and a few nasty sentiments, reluctantly, Gar gets up, changes and makes himself presentable. He keeps asking where we’re going. We never let on.

We’re in the car and on the way to the party. It’s 3:15pm.

Moi: I have to drop off a bottle of wine at Jo’s first.
Gar: Are you setting me up?
Moi: No - she has friends over. You heard her call earlier. (Of course, her earlier call was part of the set-up.)

Gar continues to let us know how much he doesn’t want to go anywhere, and it’d better not be a surprise party. Nick and I turn a deaf ear to his ramblings. We arrive at Jo’s. I grab the bottle of wine, leave the truck running and Nick and Gar sitting in the truck.

Moi: I’ll be right back.

Walking into Jo’s, I tell one of the guests - “Go get him.”

Thirty seconds later, I walk back outside to find Gar and his sister - whom he hasn’t seen in 5 years - in the midst of a Kodak moment - locked in a long-overdue hug.

For the rest of the evening, Gar celebrated the 50-year mark in good company, with lots of laughter, Jack Daniels, and treks down memory lane. It was a celebration he’ll never forget.

P.S. For all of you who came and helped celebrate - thanks for coming out and making it memorable. Hope you had a great time!

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