The eagles have landed

It's not nice to make your mother faint.

Therefore, if you're going to laugh, at least have the decency to catch her first. Remember, safety is key!

Many of you got a kick out of my last column about my family's attempt to surprise our mom, and let me know it. I appreciate all the calls and letters, too. So, I thought I'd update you on how it all went.

First off, thank you for your kind thoughts, and yes, my brother, sister-in-law and I made it through the Denver airport weather snafu relatively okay. Our flight to Missoula was not delayed. And, it only took an extra day for the airline to deliver James and Jennifer's luggage to the house. Oh, and for those of you concerned about such things, be assured that the new regulations regarding liquids in carry-ons are being thoroughly carried out by the crack agents at the Garden City Regional Airport. My lipstick was okay, but evidently my lip gloss posed serious security concerns. The logic still astounds me, but I didn't argue.

I met James and Jennifer at the Denver airport. They flew in from Kansas City, and together we were taking the plane to Missoula. Before we boarded the flight we called Dad to let him know we were on schedule.

Me: Dad? Is this a "secure line?"

Dad: What? Yes. No. Yes. No. Huh?

Me: (Sigh) Is Mom in the room?

Dad: Oh! Yes.

Me: Okay. The eagles--will take off--in 10 minutes.

Dad: Huh?!?!

Me: For crying out loud, we take off in 10 minutes.

Dad: Oh!

He's no James Bond, but he tries.

Our sister Joni and brother-in-law Brian met us at the Missoula airport with their two vehicles, five dogs, enough food to feed us for a week, and six cases of Diet Coke--Joni's survival kit for two days away from home. Bless her heart, though, she also packed her coffee maker and coffee for James and myself, knowing that our folks don't own one. How they raised three caffeine addicts is one for the evolution experts, I'll say.

We made the drive to St. Ignatius and along the way we tried coming up with a plan of surprise. Finally, we just decided to walk into the house as if we were expected--no one wanted to spend Christmas Eve in the emergency room with Mom if we got too wacky in our scheme.

The five of us gathered things from the cars and walked quietly into the house. Mom was in the bathroom, curling her hair. She was expecting Joni and Brian for Christmas Eve. But when we peeked out from behind Brian's back, she dropped the curling iron and went down like a sack of potatoes. James caught her just before she cracked her head on the tub.

You know, I think we finally managed to surprise her.

The rest of the stay was a blur of laughter and tears. Joni and I yet again unwittingly duplicated our Christmas gifts to each other. I'd been working on an afghan for her new home in her favorite school colors, and she'd done the same for me. Ironically, Mom knew about both afghans and kept the secret from each of us, despite many panicked phone calls from us to her.

We initiated Jennifer into power-shopping the day after Christmas sales with Joni. I'm proud to say she held her own quite nicely.

We even managed to find time for a professional family photo. Although, it was a trick for me to keep my mouth shut around the photographer and let him do his job. A side affect of my career, I suppose, but there's a reason I'm usually behind the camera and not in front of it.

It was a fabulous experience. When we eventually left for home on Thursday, it was knowing that we'd given Mom her very own Christmas miracle.

And, that was the best present of them all.

Jennifer M. Latzke can be reached by phone at 620-227-1807, or by email at jlatzke@hpj.com.

Date: 1/8/07

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