Saturday, May 11, 2013

Mother's Day Surprise



Earlier in the week I got a call from my daughter, Romay, "Are you busy Friday afternoon?"
I replied, "I don't think so , why?"
"Its a surprise, I'll pick you up at 3:00 pm. Dress casual!"
Friday afternoon at exactly 3:00 pm my daughter and granddaughter came to pick me up.
Romay handed me a stem of orchids and a 'fitting' card, considering our new cook book!


Buckled in and on our way,  I tried to coax out some hints as to where we were going but all I got was tight lipped smiles.
We drove for a good half hour or more and finally my daughter checked some directions on a piece of paper on her lap.
She said... "This is going to be a weird Mother's Day..."  
I said , "OHH !   I'm going to hold a lamb?"
I saw by her expression that I had guessed correctly !
Sure enough a  minute later we pull into the driveway of a beautiful  farm.
She asked, "What made you guess ?"
"Well, " I said with a smile, " you said weird, that made me think of 'bucket list' and I recently told you on my bucket list was that I wanted to hold and pet a lamb!"
It seems strange that I grew up on a farm, have been around farms all my life but for some reason never held a lamb.  And yes, an unusual bucket list desire ...   but one that has been tucked into my heart since childhood.
But the surprises were not yet over.
We drove up to a lovely colonial farm house.   I asked, "Do you know these people?"
She answered vaguely... "Oh, she's someone I know on Facebook... I bribed her with a copy of the cookbook.  The copy you gave me today wasn't for whom I said it was, its actually for this lady."
"Hmm..." I thought,... "why would Romay give a cookbook to someone who she didn't really know.."
Romay went to the front door, then. following instructions, we drove up the driveway connecting the house and the barn.  We stepped out of the car, and a minute later,  a lady rode up on a bicycle.
I politely said, "Hi" then looked harder as she dismounted the bike! It couldn't be .. but it was !  It was Romay's best friend through high school, Deanna, whom I had not seen in many years !
It was her  delightful daughter who the sheep belonged to.  She came and told us about each ewe and ram, their personalities and their names.  Then, she brought  me the lambs.  There was a little black one born premature that had a very nervous mother , so we did not disturb that one.    There was another black one that was a little older that I held and then the adorable twins pictured in the photos.

 



Later, we enjoyed a visit and delicious gluten-free muffins in Deanna's amazing kitchen, designed and built by her husband.

In our chatting, Deanna, mentioned one of my favourite books, "A Shepherd looks at the 23rd Psalm". 
 If you haven't read it, do!  It is a very beautiful book that reveals the heart of God and why He calls us His sheep. The author is Phillip Keller - I recommend all the books he wrote, they are all on my fav list !

The little twin named Marble was my favourite (lowest right photo).  He was the last one I held and as soon as I took him into my arms I could feel something different about him from the others.   He cuddled down into my arms. He did not  just tolerate being held.  He loved it!
My heart melted, and I thought , "Oh Lord, I want to be this kind of lamb in Your arms."

The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want! 
Psalm 23:1

Mother's Day, 2013 --  one I will remember  --   Thank you so much, Romay  for planning it and   Deanna  for making it possible !
******

Happy Mother's Day to you !  
 I pray that the love of God, so evident in Mothers' love, 
 fills your hearts, 
not just on Mother's Day but every day ! 
****

10 comments:

Judy said...

So special, Julie! That will be a Mother's Day gift you will never forget. May we all want to be 'that kind of lamb'!

Sandy said...

I just received the cookbook in the mail...It is my Mom's Day gift from my wonderful daughter, Kimmy...Thank you ladies a ton for the beauty you brought to the pages of this book...
And, yes the book by Phillip Keller is a great book...I have it and haven't read it in years. I will have to go back and re-read it.
Thank you Julie for this heart touching post....
Have a Blessed Mother's Day
Love from NC

ellen b. said...

What a sweet treat your dear daughter orchestrated for you! Love it!

Lovella ♥ said...

Oh what a beautiful surprise and such a lovely mother's day gift! I love the photos too!

charlotte mgcc said...

Julie, what a delightful surprise that you can mark off your bucket list. At least you weren't blindfolded, wink. I love how you tied this experience so beautifully with wanting to be the kind of lamb that just wraps herself in God's arms. I could almost feel it as you described it. Happy Mother's day Julie.

Betty W said...

What a great gift for you. That is so sweet of your daughter and thoughtful. I'm happy you got to cross that off your bucket list. Makes me think I should make one and show it to my daughters... :)

Rosella said...

How wonderful to hold and cuddle a sweet little lamb like that! Sounds like you had a wonderful Mother's Day!

Marg said...

That is so beautiful Julie...Just the thoughts that your grandaughter reflected through making this bucket list happen. Thanks for sharing this special story.

Anneliese said...

Julie, what a beautiful and memorable Mother's Day gift! My granddaughter asked me the other day what my favorite animal is and I told her it was a sheep. I don't think I'd ever really thought about it but that was the answer that came out. I will be thinking about the lamb that rested in your arms.

Kathy said...

Julie, I am way late here to read about your wonderful mother's dad surprise. So lovely and thoughtful. There was time and thought put into this gift to you. I so could feel that little lamb so restful and at peace in your arms....much like a contented baby in it's mother's arms. Oh that I would rest and relax in the King of Kings arms...my Tender Shepherd. Your family loves you:)