Treasured Memories

Hello Friends,

I have not been well for over a week now and to be honest I am 'sick of being sick'.  I lost my voice completely and now I can 'only just speak'.  The kids have loved it - me not so much :) I don't often share personal stuff on my stampin' blog BUT -

I had one of the best experiences of my LIFE just last night.  I had kept a secret for so long and it was good to see it come to fruition. Let me set the scene:

My brother Jared lives in South Africa.  The last time my Mom (and I) saw him was at my Father's funeral back in 2009.  I wanted to give my Mom a Christmas present she would never forget......and believe me she won't :) I had arranged for Jared to come spend Christmas with us.  He arranged everything on his end, I paid for his ticket and then we just waited.....and waited....and waited.

Finally the day came!!!  I had wondered how we would 'surprise' Mom with her gift.  Our good friend Alan, came up with an idea.  I loved it and we went with it.  Believe me, we had a few to choose from - "Jared would come up to our table in a restaurant and ask if we were ready to order" - "I would give my Mom a $10 bill and have her give it to the homeless guy downtown, who would just happen to be Jared"- " Jared would be in the basement and my Mom would go downstairs to 'find him there'.  Here's what happened -

I went to the airport with John my son. We then drove to Temple Square and waited by the 'Christus'.  Lance drove my Mom and Olivia downtown and they came to the same place.  By this time Jared was 'hiding'.  I took my Mom by the hand and asked her to look out the window.  We could see the Salt Lake Temple all lit up and looking just beautiful.  I asked my Mom to close her eyes and make a wish.  She closed her eyes tightly and I could tell she was making a wish.  Jared and I switched places........I then said she could open her eyes.  I KNEW EXACTLY what she would wish for and when she opened her eyes - well I wish you could have been there to see her and hear her!!!  She sobbed and clung on to him for dear life.  It was so special and so surreal.  A memory so precious. 

Here are some pictures -

First spotting!  (Red jacket to the right coming out)

Waiting for luggage (that didn't arrive - a SIMS tradition:) We got it today!

John and Uncle Jared

This is the part where Jared and I 'switched out' - ready for the BIG moment!

Here it is!!! Lance didn't get a picture of my Mom's face but suffice it to say - there were tears and plenty of them !!!!!

This is the part where I said "Merry Christmas Mom" ;)

"Families are Forever"

Visitor's Center

Walking through Temple Square smiling and laughing

Now to surprise Kayleigh who just came home from College today - Jared was hiding in the trunk!  Kayleigh heard something so she got up to check. 

The emotion got to be 'too' much :)

And finally - Natalie got to see Uncle Jared :)

This has been such a memorable experience!!!!  The next 3 weeks are going to pass so quickly, so for now, we are going to enjoy every moment :)

Have a wonderful day!