The surprise of my life!

Last week was my NO CHEMO week! And that helped me last Thursday starting out just great. I was feeling fine and went to work for eight hours. Meanwhile, Barb, who recently lost her passport, made a trip to Philly to expedite getting a new passport - fast - needed for her upcoming trip to Canada the end of this month.

I came home pretty shelled and took a late afternoon nap while Barb was still in Philly meeting with MCC East Coast colleagues. I cooked some Johnsonville brats, sugar peas and penne for supper during which Barb texted me that she decided to stop and shop at IKEA - the Swedish self-assemble furniture and housewares box store. She knows it's better for her to do that without me because I have started to express resistance to IKEA shopping.

She texted an hour later that she didn't start home when she planned and would be home a little late. Meanwhile, whilst washing some dishes (we don't have a dishwasher) I was overcome with the need to visit what we pancreatic cancer survivors call the "necessary room". While on the throne I heard Barb come home. I hear her come in the kitchen door and through the bathroom door we greet each other. And she says, "I have a full van to unload". And I think, "Oh no, what kind of buying binge did Barb go on? and what uncomfortable IKEA furniture did she buy?"

I finish my business and walked directly the sink to finish the dishes, so I could help Barb unload the van. Then Barb comes up behind me and said, "Look what I've got." I turn around and see her holding what looked like our grandson, Owen, who lives in Fresno, Calif. At very first instant, I thought she had a special life-size doll of Owen made for us to play and engage with during our long absences. Then Owen moved his head and I thought: "What an incredible doll! A perfect replica in every way. And animatronic too." I could not believe at first that she was actually holding our live grandson — but she was. But where were Owen's mom and dad? Barb didn't kidnap Owen, did she?

Soon our son, Adam, wife, Annie, from Fresno AND, low and behold, our other son, Charles, and hist friend, Anna, from Seattle, Wash., came through the kitchen archway to greet me. I can not describe how absolutely blown away I was. I fell apart as I greeted each one with a hug and tear-filled eyes. They had come to visit me for Father's Day and had kept me totally out of the loop! It was a total surprise to me. Barb and the family had secretly and very successfully organized these trips all the way to PA. Now Barb did mention something a few week's ago about a surprise for Father's Day. She asked me if I wanted to know what she was planning. I said I was indifferent, thinking she was planning a weekend away to the beach or fly to Detroit to see the Twins play the Tigers in Comerica Park, or who knows what. But THIS? It did not cross my mind.

The family will be flying out on Tuesday. Barb also secretly arrange for me to have Friday and Monday off work. Thank you, Smilebuilderz, LLC! We went to Hans Herr Music in the Orchard last night and had a picnic with our church small group at Long's Park summer music concert tonight. Adam contributed to our church worship this morning with an interesting presentation on "Protest and Public Art". He focused on public art about/protesting US military use of drones. I was so happy to see him in his teacher mode. He gives a damn good lecture, if I am allowed to brag a little. I would enjoy taking a class of his.

We've played a few hands of a Monopoly Deal card game that was new to me and has ambiguous/incomplete rules regarding the use of Wild Cards, which has resulted in some lively discussions and raised tensions. But we spend most of our time gazing at and playing with Owen who is so engaging and fun. He is a very relaxed, cute, charming baby. Having him visit and become a little more familiar with his hairless, saggy- and wrinkle-skinned, scary-looking grandpa has meant so much to me. At first he wasn't sure what to think of me. He had some fear or reservations, but definitely "knows" me better after a couple of days and we get along great. Grandbee Barb is also energized by the family visit and the opportunity to spoil him.

So, this is definitely my most memorable and best Father's Day ever. It has decidedly pushed a memorable Father's Day about 10 years ago into second place. That's when the family decided to buy me a Big Green Egg outdoor charcoal grill/cooker/smoker. They knew I wanted one, but we all had difficulty justifying spending $800 for an outdoor cooker. But they did and I've had loads of fun with it and the family has benefitted from some pretty good food off that grill.

I hope all the dad's out there had a great Fathers Day. I sure am having a great 4-day Father's Day that could well be the envy of other dads out there. I'm so blessed to have such a great loving family.

I'll try to post some pictures later and up date you on my cancer as well.

Ricky