A week before my sixtieth birthday, my daughter said the family would like to celebrate my birthday late, after my trip, because of “technical difficulties.” “Oh, sure,” I agreed, but I was thinking to myself that “technical difficulties” meant whatever gift they ordered online wasn’t going to arrive in time.
I couldn’t have been more wrong.
As my sixtieth birthday (which was this past April) approached, I decided it was time to start doing the things I had planned to do “one of these days.” And one of the things I had never done was visit my brother John and his family, who live in Hawaii. Hawaii in April–I liked the sound of that–and so did my sister Marianne, who had also never been there.
I could not have been more wrong.
The afternoon after I returned home, I found this cryptic message on my desk:
I was never more surprised in my life.
Having fun with my new toy
I later learned our family friends Nicole and Derrick had proposed building a garden shelter based on an image in one of my Pinterest boards. Derrick and several of my children had built the garden shelter while I was away. The garden shelter was built in an area of our property (which I have dubbed the Wild Apple Woods) where I had spent the past winter making trails. But the trails never seemed to have a purpose or a destination–now they did!
It was the perfect place to listen to the peepers this spring. That was probably the last time I sat in it for any length of time. I do sit on that bench–while I’m contemplating which branches in my gaze need to be removed in order to improve the view. I’ve also been busy transplanting spring ephemerals from Fern Alley to spots that can be viewed while walking to the shelter or sitting on its bench. Soon I’ll be planting ‘Pagoda’ trout lilies along that mossy path. And I want to find a vine to climb up the back. Any suggestions?My heart is full
Always when I visit, I’m reminded of the family and friends who love me so much, and who went to such great lengths to give me the biggest surprise of my life.
Happy Birthday, Kathy! I love the way they led you to your gift. What a beautiful place to enjoy nature! I am not sure if clematis pitcherii would grow where you are, but it’s a nice plant in Nebraska, and is not aggressive like some vines can be. https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=clpi
Thanks, Sue! I’ll check it out.
This is simply the best!!!
I agree!
Your family sounds like they are a lot of fun and terriblely creative! Glad you had a happy birthday.
Thank you, Rebecca.
What an amazing gift… to have a family like that and to have such a gorgeous garden shelter. Partway through the clues (love that idea) I wondered if the gift was going to be a bridge. But a shelter is even better. Love it!
Pat, it shows you are a careful reader of my blog to have suspected a bridge. I hope you can come see the shelter in person some day.
Congratulations! Such warmth & love from family and friends is a true blessing. A blessing you have been nurturing in your relationship garden for years. May it continue to blossom in surprising ways and at surprising times.
Thank you, Nikki!
What a lovely and thoughtful gift. And what a wonderful family to know just what would please you and where to find exactly the inspiring image. Now I know why we add these dreamy pictures to our Pinterest boards! My birthday is in April as well and it is usually a good month to go somewhere warmer. Belated b-day wishes.
Thank you, Linda, for the birthday wished. The garden shelter was definitely a team effort with a lot of input from various family members.
Oh my gosh Girl, you are mightly blessed.
I have read where you thought about putting a chair in there somewhere to see part of the woods. I can only think this has usurped your grandest thoughts. A perfect 60th gift.
I mentioned in my last post a location where I wanted to put a bench. The bench will still go there, overlooking a brook. It’s on the other side of the property.
What a great surprise! Such a creative gift!
That is great. You will certainly enjoy that. Happy Birthday too.
Thanks, Debbie.
What a fantastic surprise, not that a trip to Hawaii is anything to sneeze at.
Pat, you’re right–going to Hawaii was a great birthday present all by itself.
What a fabulous surprise! Happy Birthday welcome to the best decade of your life!
Laurin, I enjoyed my 50s; looking forward to my 60s.
What a beautiful gift for a beautiful woman. Happy 60th!
Thank you, Kim!
What a stunning and beautiful surprise.
Yes, indeed, I was stunned for a bit.
What a wonderful birthday surprise! You are so loved. I imagine many garden plans will be mulled over in your garden shelter.
It’s a great place for mulling, that’s for sure.
What a wonderful gift! I love the shelter and hope you post pictures of it in all seasons. Your family is loving, thoughtful and talented.
My family and my friends. Derrick was the mastermind of design and construction.
So very thoughtful and cool.
I agree!
I want your family!
Not for sale or trade!
Happy belated birthday. Enjoy your new beautiful destination! ?
Thank you!