"Surprises Are Always Extra Special!" - Time Out #161

Unpredictable is certainly connected to my name over the decades.

I managed to pull it off again in early September, dear readers of Our Town and far beyond.

I have always tried to appropriately celebrate the special days with my special people.

The latest episode, in my surprise box, was walking in on my favorite (and only) sister's 80th birthday party. To her, my arrival during a rainstorm at a rural Arkansas Mexican restaurant, was a TOTAL surprise! My entrance, in front of 30 invited guests, brought a chorus of "Happy Birthday, dear sister" out of my throat, while her deer-in-the-headlights eyes overflowed with tears of shear joy.

It was truly a magic moment for me, her baby brother.

How did it all come together, pray tell?

So, for several months before this September 8th calendar date event, I thought and thought and thought some more on just how could I honor my wonderful sis on her milestone birthday?

Nothing popped into my brain during my intense thinking phase, and I tried REALLY hard to figure out a solution to my dilemma!

Then, the proverbial light came on in my head, and I knew the answer to my perplexing problem was located just a few miles from our home.

Stillwater Regional Airport, and, vendor, American Airlines, of course.

Because of my 52-year-love affair with Friday Night Lights (i.e., high school football officiating), the time squeeze for me to get from my game late on that Friday night preceding Beverly's birthday, had a very narrow window. Also, I didn't relish the idea of being very tired having run up and down the football field many times, only to turn around and drive 6 hours east to the Conway, AR, area early the next day. Therefore, the obvious trick was to drive a short distance from my home, after my bride, Debbie, got my brief travelin' suitcase ready to go, Saturday. Incredibly easy to drive that few miles, park free adjacent to the north Stillwater terminal, easily check-in, and then pass through the friendly TSA checkpoints Very simple next, to board a small, jet aircraft. Quickly, up and away for 40-something-minute flight to Dallas/Ft. Worth Airport, then without changing terminals, another small, jet-powered aircraft to the Little Rock, AR, Clinton National Airport. Simply put, I departed that Saturday afternoon at 2:30, and walked inside the airport at Arkansas' capital city, a little after 5 p,m. Wow!

Next, my plan was to rent a vehicle, and drive about an hour northwest to the small community of Damascus. This was accomplished, driving in a windy, heavy, rainstorm as darkness began to settle in on the wet highways. This part was a somewhat precarious challenge to me.

Since I had had some pre-surprise telephone assistance from Beverly's oldest child, Michael, (of course, unknown to her) he greeted me outside the restaurant in the dark rain. He then accompanied me inside, as I made my loud singing entrance.

The rest of the story is I stayed a full day Sunday. This day, my birthday sis took me on a complete tour of her 300-animal cow/calf operation over her 300-acre, beautiful Circle Z Ranch. Monday morning, I retraced my previous aviation route, and stepped off the American Airlines (AA) aircraft at 1:30 p.m. in Our Town, without a hitch. What an almost effortless adventure it was, AA providing a pivotal role. This was the 8th time I have used this incredibly great asset Our Town has had for over 2 years now.

Most of all, to experience the joy of Beverly's special moment was truly priceless.........