Day 11

This was a wonderful day of great surprises! First, Mardie drove down yesterday from Salt Lake City to surprise my sister, Mona, who was flying in to surprise our dad for his birthday. So when Mona got off the plane this morning, Mardie was there instead of me to pick her up. Surprise #1 - success! She was thrilled! They came back to our house for a few minutes, and then went to Mom and Dad's for the really big surprise. Surprise #2 - success! We finished the photo album today, put it all together, and presented it to Dad tonight after dinner at our house. Surprise #3 - success!

It was a wonderfully fun day, filled with lots of laughter and happiness. Even all three dogs got along well! Tonight, looking through all of those photos tracing my father's life, was truly a holy moment. God was near and celebrating with us. We ate and drank and laughed and cried and laughed some more. It was beautiful, and a night none of us will ever forget. Thank you, God.