On Surprises

I’ve been thinking about surprises this week. Not the shocking, negative kind of surprise, but the exciting, positive kind of surprise—like a card in the mail or a gift on your desk or a knock at your door or a call on the phone.

I don’t know about you, but I love surprises—sort of :-). I love to create surprises and to surprise other people…but I don’t always like to receive surprises because the “N” in me (my intuitive nature) thinks that I should be able to figure out all surprises before they happen. I know, I know. This isn’t a very fun way to live. But it’s true. Therefore, it is really hard to surprise me…yet when it happens, it is a very, very humbling and breath- and word-taking experience that more often than not makes me cry—good, happy, overwhelmed tears.

Probably the biggest surprise of my life occurred Christmas of my sophomore year of high school. You may know the story, but just in case you don’t, let me tell it here:

Played school French horn that was dented, messed up, and all together a poor instrument.

Band director realized school needed new horn so had McFayden Music Store Man bring a horn to school to try out. It was shiny, silver, and brand new. It even had a pretty case.

Took shiny, silver, brand new horn home one night to practice. Was very careful with it, but parents still acted weird.

Played horn at Christmas concert. Did I mention how awesome it was?

Was sad to see horn return to McFayden. Told horn bye before packing it up.

Had lovely Christmas morning. Opened presents with family and was content.

Brother pointed out large bag under Christmas Tree. Said, “Dee, why don’t you go see what it is.” I did. It was for me.

Tried to imagine what it could be. Thought maybe stereo. Then felt shape.
Realized it was a horn.

Decided parents had found used horn on sale because I needed it for Governor’s School the following summer (pending acceptance).

Opened bag. Saw pretty case. Knew it was shiny, silver, brand new horn that, evidently, parents, band director, and McFayden man had been secretly working to get me.

Hugged Horn. Cried. Parents cried. Brother and sister cried. Could only say, “Oh my gosh” and “Thank you,” over and over again.

Lovely, lovely moment. I was truly, totally, 100% surprised.

Later named horn Pierre Horne Deaton.

What about you? What was the biggest surprise of your life? Or maybe some smaller surprises that you just love to share? And it doesn’t have to be a surprise that you received either. It can be one that you gave as well :-).