This is a follow up to a thread I wrote just a few days before, just before Christmas, about relatives and stress during the holiday season. So if you are interested in this, check that thread for additional background info. Heading to parents to surprise them for Christmas when they cancelled on us due to medical issues.
My son didn't really want to go, but agreed to go. I also took the dog, which my parents don't really want in their house. But it's a great dog. So we took it. They can always ask us to leave. FYI, they loved him being there.
Wow. Pulled the surprise off to a T. Couple of minutes from the place, I called them. How you doing, what are you doing today, tomorrow, etc. They said they are doing nothing. Why aren't you getting with Uncle Dave? He's at the vacation house. How about .......... He's with his family. Well, the real reason I called was I'm having shrimp delivered and I need to know if you have cocktail sauce. My dad says my mom is allergic to shrimp and tell me you didn't. Dad, it's coming. At this point, I'm at their door, and ring the doorbell. My mother is exasperated....somebodies at the door. Go get the door. She says, I'm in my pj's. I'm talking to my dad about tomorrow, she opens the door, I've got a bag of shrimp in my hand. I'm still talking to my dad telling him to hang up, I'm here. I walk to the kitchen, look down the hallway, he's got a phone in his hand, and he's naked. My moms crying. It was priceless. I yell to put some damn clothes on, this is embarrassing.
My brother called and thanked me. I told him it was the least a son could do and was surprised he wasn't there yet. Told him I was kidding. He lives in Maine and he had his family in. My sister thanked me profusely. She was going to hire Christmas carrolers to come sing to them.
I was only there for 18 hrs. But it was good. Spoke about some other surprises I'd pulled off in the past. I brought dinner and egg nog. If I hadn't have shown, they had one small gift to open Christmas morning. They won't forget this one. On a side note, my dad appeared pretty good physically. My mom clearly has some issues. So, in general, it was better than I was expecting. So also a positive. When my son and I left to go back home, he said to me, Dad, I'm really glad I came.
On a side note , (this is OSU vs UM related). While we were there, we saw a dog the same breed as ours. I was told it's name, which I found bizarre. I have to go meet this dog. So on it's way back, we headed out. The dogs met. After a couple of minutes, I introduced our dog as Scarlet and Gray. She looked surprised. This is Maize and Barf (I think you know the real name). I came clean shortly thereafter. Our dog name is not S and G. But who names their dog after a loser?
overall, great trip. As stressful as my parents are to me. Really glad I went. Parents better than expected. Son really appreciated the trip. Wife was good, even though this was the first time in 25 years we weren't together on Christmas. Showed up to the other relatives house. All adults ate one table. Kids ate wherever. I ate outside with the dog, because some relative would have gotten upset if I had asked his kid to move (only kid at adult table). Owner didn't want that many dogs at their house either. So I solved two issues. Just found it ironic. I offered to not show at all, but they wanted to wait for me. From my perspective, all is good. Just find it ironic.
Still wouldn't mind hearing about other people's horror stories during the holidays. I know there out there.
