Jun 16, 2010
Who was surprised?
The plan was for my sister to join Dad for a coffee @ 9:30AM the morning of his 80th. Then Colin and I would appear 2 minutes later….surprise!!! That gave us an hour to decorate and prepare for the two hour open house…also allowing the parents time to get dressed up, etc.
We rang the buzzer, no answer, over and over, no answer. Finally someone let us into the condo with all the balloons, banners, decorations and food. My sister Lise knocked on the door, no answer, she called them on her cell, no answer….then we panicked, what if something was wrong. Someone checked the garage…their vehicle was gone!!! Was someone sick!! A neighbor offered to drive down to the medi centre to check if the parents where there. Meanwhile we started to decorate the entrance, the elevator, the 3rd floor and their front door. 
Not sure what to do but at the same time we aware that we have invited guests arriving in less then 30 minutes!!! Big sigh!!! Actually panic!! Where were they?? Suddenly Dad appeared, strolling off the elevator with his walker…he’d been to the bank!!
What are you doing here?
What the heck was going on here! Well Dad, surprise, Happy 80th and by the way where is Mom? In bed!!!! Well you have about 10 minutes to get ready for your drop in coffee and donut party!!! And so it went, rush to decorate the suite, get the food sorted out and get Mom up, dressed and well prepared!!! In essence it was not only a celebration of Dad’s 80th but his career as one of Edmonton”s first police officers (more details on that another day).
Three sisters, oldest to youngest, Contessa, Denise, Lise & her daughter Kisa
Good old Wally! One of Dad's police buddies.
These two are ready to retire in 5 years, hard to believe.
It was a lovely 2 hours that stretched into 3 hours. The parents were exhausted so off we went so they could relax.
We returned at 5PM with appetizers, cards, gifts, dinner and cake. This was just for the immediate family and we had a wonderful time. Both Dad and Mom laughed at the gag gifts.
The' bullshit' megaphone..too funny!
He's got hair!
Family photo...where's Colin?
Three of the four kids were there (our brother was too tired to come….) and part of the fun was each of us recalling our earliest memories with Dad. It was a blast! We had a great dinner and then Dad’s favorite Black Forest cake for dessert. In all honesty Dad’s best gift was the letter he received the day prior giving him a July 5th date for an appointment to discuss and set a date for his double hip replacement surgery. It was a great day but because both the parents were tired, weak and in constant pain we all left by 8:30PM.
Once back at the RV (still parked at Lise’s) Colin decides that we should pack up right now and head out to Cummins rather then early in the morning. Really!!! Okay! So by 11:30PM we are setting up house in the parking lot at Cummins. Exhausted!!!!
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