A Transplanted Gardener: Surprises and such

I'm not very good at surprising people. I can keep a secret ok, but my face breaks out in a grin when I try to tell a lie, even a little fib. My husband on the other hand can keep a straight face when telling a whopper, like, its your turn to get the coffee my love, I got it the last five times. But, has a hard time keeping some secrets. If he has a surprise for me, he usually has to tell me. Its hard for him to buy something for me, even if its a little something, and not give it to me right away. I like this about him. So, I was taken completely off guard this Christmas when I had a BIG surprise and he didn't utter a word. His ability to tell a whopper with a straight face came in handy though.

I haven't been home in awhile, since 2007 actually. And, Christmas was only a few days away.I had this small hope down deep that Brandon, my son, would make a trip here. The reason was, he wanted to fly up for our birthdays this year, but work was too hectic, so I thought, maybe for Christmas. I've always spent christmas with my family in the past, that's been hard living so far away, and I've missed them. I'd been on the phone with him a couple of times helping him pick out gifts, I'd talked to Cliff and Kath too, and I'd talked to Sue, but its not like being with them. But anyway, on December 22 Brandon calls me about a gift for Martin, he says he is going to mail them even if they are late. We talk for awhile, then hang up. I almost cried then because I knew he wasn't going to fly here for Christmas, it was only a couple of days away and he hadn't mentioned a word about it. I tell myself that its ok, I'll see everyone in the spring and I move on. Next day my brother calls, then my sister in-law calls (she's like a sister), then Cliff calls again. I didn't think anything was up yet, I just enjoyed the phone calls. During my last call with Cliff I hear Martin come home from work. I turned to tell him hello and show him that I'm on the phone, and I'd give him his kisses after the call, when I saw my son standing there! I couldn't believe my eyes for a few. You know the feeling of wondering if your eyes are playing tricks on you? I wondered, for just a couple of seconds I wondered. I dropped that phone, hugged my son and cried my eyes out! I had two whole weeks with him and was going to enjoy every moment!