It takes almost an hour to get to Mum’s house from the homestead.  The transport of the “Hello Kitty” cake to the birthday celebration was without incident.  My niece gave her squeal of approval with a very loud “Aunt-Aunt made me a Hello Kitty cake!”

Visual inspection successful!

Fortunately, it also passed the taste-test by all in attendance.

After dinner, everyone adjourned to the living room to gather around center-stage for the opening of presents.  I love to watch children open presents.  It is even more enjoyable when they, like my niece, are of an age where they can read the note written in the card, thus delaying the tearing open of paper to see what is inside!

Oh the anticipation! 

As a child, the card is the boring part of the present…unless it contains money.  Even a 6-year-old knows the value of money!

After the required reading of the card, the fun begins.  A look at the bag or box starts the line of questions.  “I wonder what it is?”  Paper is removed, and the look of excitement builds on the face of the receiver.  As the surprise reveals itself, there are exclamations of joy, building to loud screams and laughter at the long-awaited seeing of the gift.

“I have always wanted one of these!”

What fun to receive a surprise!

How often do we, as adults, get excited about a surprise?

Over the years, surprises take on new meanings.

Not all of them are joyful.

Responsibility, aches and pains, daily routine, and stress cloud our child-like wonder.  Life challenges us.  Some of the challenges are cruel and heartless.  We struggle to find fortitude to push on, yet alone find a bright spot.

I have worked hard to recognize life is far too precious to allow all of the unpleasant surprises to cause me grief.  Unexpected company can send a wave of panic if the host or hostess fears the house is not presentation-ready, or the cupboards are void of a snack to offer.  I am just thankful the friend or family member made the effort to stop and enjoy good company and conversation. 

Some surprises have left me grief-stricken. 

Over time, I have grown past the grief and created joy in remembering all of the wonderful surprises I was given by those I have loved, and are now gone.  I have learned that my grief is a product of the measure of love I gave and received, and that is an amazing gift.  I allow the grief to be, and then it passes.  My heart is open and ready to receive again.

Amidst adulthood, I have challenged myself to continue to find surprises to enjoy the same way I did as a child.  I still grin from ear to ear when I ride my bicycle down a hill.  I squeal when a hungry trout rises to a fly on the water, and the line tightens in a successful catch.  I still love to open presents.

Today the sun is shining.  Today the birds are singing.  Today there will be time to play.

The gift of today is already a glorious surprise.

I am already smiling!