Lovely unexpected gift.

16 years ago

Several years ago my son went to Toronto, 120 miles away, just after Christmas to help a friend move, and I helped, as well. This guy had a huge amount of stuff, and the place into which they were moving had 19 steps. When carrying a banana box full of heavy stuff, when you arrived near the top of that stairway ... you'd swear that someone was taking steps off of the bottom of the stair and adding them to the top!

For several years I've said that I wanted to make a charitable contribution or so every month, throughout the year ... but that year had not done so.

So made a special trip back to London to write a bunch of those charitable cheques on December 31, for receipts to be deductible for income tax in that year - an expensive trip!

On December 31 of this year ... sorry, "last year" ... was running around town writing charitable cheques (replay of a familiar scenario) but this time I have an excuse. There's a rule recently adopted by our government that when you contribute stock certificates to a charity, you get a receipt for the full amount of the value of the stock/gift ... but you get to avoid being taxable on whatever capital gain had been developed during the time that you owned it.

I'd contributed some shares to a local charity, that was to distribute the money to several of those charities, but it wasn't sure that the transaction would be completed before year-end.

Anyway, I visited my son's apt., and he wondered whether I'd drive him to Toronto yesterday (New Year's) in the afternoon, as he wanted to visit a new acquaintance that he'd met on the internet.

As we neared Toronto on New Year's afternoon, he called the friend, to arrange the time of meeting, at a local "Chapters" (a large book store). When we arrived, an employee at the entrance told us that they were closing in a few minutes (early), and son couldn't find the person that he was to meet.

Then he said that he had found the person, so I went outside with him and ...

... it was my precious daughter!

She'd gone to AZ a few weeks ago and is moving down there.

She was to come back to prepare some things for moving, but it wasn't to be around Christmas, as far as I knew.

She flew up (cheap flight - apple didn't fall far from tree, it seems) on Christmas day, notifying son a couple of days before - but don't tell Dad.

I'd called her on the evening of Dec. 31 and we had a nice chat ... I understanding that she was in AZ, but she was in TO (has an arrangement that runs phone through computer and is toll-free across U.S. and Canada).

So we had a nice dinner, repaired back to her apt. in TO for dessert and coffee, and some shifting and sifting of goods.

Very bestest Christmas gift of all!!!

ole joyful

P.S. I'm rather sad that she's moving so far away - AZ is a long way from here.

o j

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Comments (20)

mcmann
16 years ago
What a wonderful and thoughtful surprise. You are lucky to have such caring children. Now you'll have to plan on your surprise visit to AZ!
ronf_gw
16 years ago
What a great surprise!
Let me know when you need sight seeing tips for Arizona.
Ron
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Julie,it's important to him, that's why I felt the need to do it. Every Christmas and birthday. He does go get my Valentine's day stuff though. I guess because it's more of a floofy holiday. I am not sure why he feels such pressure around gifts for me, I love everything he gets for me,because he got it for me. (Well,I was a little salty about the unasked for treadmill I got for Valentine's day a few years ago, but I got over it and love that as well. And he never knew I was salty about it,as I gushed over it and he was so proud of himself for thinking of it himself) He is forever asking me what gift he got me is my favorite. It is and always will be my beloved Sammy, God rest his little furry heart. He is still upset that none of the stuff I ordered for myself will be here for Christmas. I don't know why. Anyway, this morning I took a short nap then went off to get stuff to get through the next few days. Cat food for the beggars, lots of diet cherry coke,some frozen meals for work and a chicken and some brats for SO to grill tommorow. I also got SO a drone with a camera on it,though not the one I wanted to get,as they were sold out of it. I managed to sneak it in and wrap it without him seeing it. I put all the presents under the tree before I left for work. I also got a cute dog stocking and filled it up with his favorite sweets: turtles, peanut mms,kit kats, life savers, stuff like that. He always says I do too much but he is so good to me all year i love to spoil him for Christmas and his birthday.
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okwriter
16 years ago
What a GREAT surprise, OJ!
heather_on
16 years ago
Yes OJ, I can imagine you being so sad that she is moving so far away, but AZ sure would be a nice place to visit in the cold wintertime like today!
alisande
16 years ago
Lovely indeed. Yes, definitely look forward to your Arizona visits.
jannie
16 years ago
Yes, a wonderful gift!
grammahony
16 years ago
Beautiful suprise Ed. Now you'll have a nice warm place to visit during your cold winter time. I love Arizona. Wish I was there now.
Leslie
Mickey15
16 years ago
What a great surprise Ed, I'm so glad you got to see your daughter. And I agree with Heather, that Arizona would be a nice place to visit in the cold blustery winter!
ritamay91710
16 years ago
that's so neat!!
caflowerluver
16 years ago
What a nice surprise! You should visit during the winter, not summer (too hot), and warm your bones. It is a beautiful place.
Clare
dances_in_garden
16 years ago
That was nice, to have a visit with her and your son for Christmas!
Happy_Go_Lucky_Gayle
16 years ago
Neato! What sweet Kiddos!

Gayle
bestlawn
16 years ago
So glad you were surprised like that.
You must have been thrilled.
gardenspice
16 years ago
How fun!
I'm glad you had that time with your daughter.
Now, time to start scouting discounted flights to AZ!
joyfulguy
Original Author
16 years ago
Thank you all for your good wishes.

It looks as though I'll have a busy summer coming soon.

I'd better get a passport soon, as there's a long lineup for them and it takes a long time for one to have it delivered.

I've not had a visit with clergy colleagues on the west coast, largely from seminary days, for a long time and would like to visit some ... and the longer one leaves it, the fewer there are. Also, who knows how long I'll be as fortunate to be enjoying as good health as I have, up until now? I'd like to travel by car, as it gives me the opportunity to vist a number of locations in different areas.

My brother in Sask. is having a reunion of our Mother's side of the family in the early part of July, on their farm in southern Saskatchewan. We've been holding them every three years or so for about 25 years and they've always been in the east, so far.

There's to be a reunion of former Korea missionaries in North Carolina at the end of July ... and I travelled to see my niece's family in north central GA while there three years ago. I had a visit with Pooh Bear on the way home.

Maybe I'll have an opportunity to meet some other KT people along the routes.

I hope that you all have a really fine New Year.

ole joyful
ivamae
16 years ago
Ed, I'm so happy for you!!!! What a wonderful surprise.
ivamae
minnie_tx
16 years ago
That was really nice Happy New Year and I hope you have lots more nice surprises like that!!
Cherryfizz
16 years ago
Happy New Year Ed!

What a wonderful New Year's surprise from your kids.

Anne
foggyj
16 years ago
I hope you get to do all those great trips you have planned. Sounds like a busy year ahead!!
glenda_al
16 years ago
Wonderful!
And may 2008 be the best for you!

Lovely unexpected gift.

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mcmann

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Lovely unexpected gift.

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