Diane's Divco

Tomorrow is my Mom's birthday.  It's a special one--but aren't birthdays all special?

A few weeks ago, I asked Dad if he had given any thought to Mom's birthday, after all, it is a special one.

Any guesses on his answer?

We brainstormed for a few minutes--Mom is tricky.  Humble, unassuming, selfless, and not particularly fond of being center stage.

Tricky I tell you.

The challenge was coming up with something that fell between a simple hug and "Happy birthday!" and staging a version of "This is your life" with a convention-worthy balloon drop.

Luckily, Dad knows her well. Very well.  As we talked, as I was completely puzzled, the light bulbs started popping in Dad's mind. 

Aha!

It's so sweet really, how he thought through the plan and how perfect it was.

So the plan was this--Dad enlisted the help of the Environmental Services crew.  At the appointed time, during Mom and Dad's late afternoon happy hour in the yard, every Gator, Kubota, and golf cart on the Seminary campus would descend on the yard, and the party would start.

A few days ago, Dad told me what his gift to her was--Wow, I had thought his plan was good before...this put it over the top. In family lore, the Christmas Mom got a weed-wacker that Mom still keeps in the basement to protect it got top billing as far as gift-giving stories go.

No more.

Dad got Mom her own red golf cart.

This afternoon, the boys and I headed to the campus a bit early so we stopped for a sneak peek.

This is great!

Over to the house.  I threatened all kinds of consequences for the boys if they tipped Mom off to the surprise.  It must have sunk in, because when we got to the house, other than asking for a popsicle, they wouldn't speak to her!

We headed out to the yard, but for whatever reason, Mom was a bit resistant to coming out to the yard.  Maybe it was the energy of the boys who had moved from popsicles onto climbing trees and playing soccer.

But she came.  As we sat there, Dad said, "hey, what's that?" As a decorated golf cart zipped down the street.

Maybe a wedding?

Then a whole parade of gators.

Mom started to wonder...then laugh...

Even though the front of the golf cart says this:

Mom still had to ask a few times "What is this for?"

It's for you!

The crew came prepared with snacks, drinks, and cake.  Ferdie was interested in the cake.

 So were the boys.

 Michelle made a call, and soon the carillon began to play "Happy Birthday."

 Gators, Gators everywhere.

Lots of laughs and amazement that this surprise was pulled off.

 Aren't they sweet?

A great idea from Dad, with a great assist from the Environmental Services crew...One and all, it was perfect!

A big, big thank you to all the Sem folks who helped make this happen--from hiding the red golf cart (no easy feat) to rounding up the cake, drinks, snacks, and taking time to come pull off what I heard Mom describe as her "most memorable birthday, thank you!

We love you Mom!