Surprise, Surprise

As I was growing up, when my brothers & I would ask her age, my mother used to always say that she was 25. I didn't know the truth for several years until I happened to come across my birth certificate. There... to be sure was a 25. Yes, preceded by the numerals 19... That was the year she was born, July 14, 1925. This year she was to turn 80! I wondered, "What shall I do for her birthday?"

The thought occured. What if I were to fly from Springfield, MO to Seattle, WA and surprise her with my presence! The wheels began to spin and plans began to develop. I called my son, Micah, in Seattle & with his Aunt Lynette he put together plans for a birthday party for her. Only Micah and his wife Kim knew I planned to be present.

As I looked at the calendar I thought I might be able to do two things in one week's time. #1 Surprise my brothers (John, Mark and Ron) and our parents, Jack & Connie. #2 Make an attempt to ascend Mt. Rainier to the summit. Sooo...

I called Rainier Mountaineering, Inc. and discovered that they had an opening in their mountaineering class Saturday, July 16th and a summit attempt the following two days. I signed up.

Thursday, July 14th, I flew to Salt Lake City and on to Seattle and individually surprised each of my brothers. That evening they attended the party at our parents' home. Shortly after 7pm I called them to give mom a birthday greeting. With the family gathered in the living room they listened to one side of the conversation as mom and dad heard me say, "Hi, I understand they are having a party for your birthday, mom... I'm on a cell phone... can you hear me now? I hope I'm not breaking up... can you 'ear me now?"

I became repetitious. Little did they know what my siblings and their families knew: I was in the entry and walking through the house. Mom was intent on listening and had her eyes on the phone, her ear on the handset and a gentle irritation was surfacing as she heard my "can you 'ear me now?" for the umpteenth time. I raised my voice until she now heard it in stereo (directly across the room and in the handset) "Can you 'ear me now?" As she raised her head toward the sound of my voice, as it penetrated her present consciousness, a look of joyful recognition spread across her face and flowed into her hands.

That is when my photographer brother, Ron captured this memorable shot: