Tiger Lillies https://frbcny.org As we journey down this Road to Glory together, it is often bumpy, rough and narrow. Along the way God puts precious moments in our path...like Tiger Lillies along the road...to brighten our day. This is a place to share some of your encouraging stories during the COVID-19 Pandemic. The Story of the Super Virus Social Distance Surprise Birthday Party Scavenger Hunt. https://frbcny.org/the_road__new__/view/839 Tue, 14 Apr 2020 08:05:00 CDT Duane K. https://frbcny.org/the_road__new__?blogm=view&blogid=839 What does it take for a man to know that he is loved? Normally he just needs to keep his eyes open. I have always known the blessing of good family and friends. Every once in a while something like a global pandemic will come along and give you the real answers. We have all come to recognize how during this unique time in our world people have gone outside the norm to create new opportunities to share their good works and deep love for one another. My special story started weeks ago through a series of secret phone calls of which I knew nothing. My dear wife and daughter hatched a plot inspired by my lovely granddaughters. Phone calls were made and plans were hatched. And so the Story begins. Many of you who will read this do not know one another so some of these names will be changed to protect the innocent. LOL. It all began this morning as I was lying in bed deciding whether to wake up because it was a rainy day and I had no idea what I might do with it. The phone rang. It was a dear friend of mine who recently moved to Georgia. (Please note: All passages in quotation marks are copied and pasted from the original documents released and declassified by Mission Control AKA my daughter, Mikey and you will be reading the redacted version) After the rudimentary discussion and traditional happy birthday greetings my buddy entreated me with the first of many clues that would flow through the day. Clue number one. "1. Bob Xxxxx calls at 9am [and] tells dad to go to his car. Robin’s and Elle’s note is taped to the steering wheel. In it, is the first clue. ‘Fountain pen’-" I was instructed to keep him on the phone as I went out to the car to find a letter on my steering wheel. After considering that he may have driven up from Georgia to meet me in the driveway, I found that he did not and the letter was sure enough located in my steering wheel. Upon opening the letter I found my first clue. Photos are enclosed where appropriate. My first clue, being ‘fountain pen’ instantly revealed itself to be connected to friends who live on the mountain and buy and sell such unique items. It was at this point that I had the presence of mind to share this with my wife as I do with everything in my life. Gentlemen, I encourage you all to share everything (well almost everything) with your wives because they will figure it out anyway and “may I?” is easier and safer to say than “well, I...”. It is at that point that I began to see that she knew something was up and was perhaps a large part of it. When I mentioned our friends and the possibility that we should visit them I said to her we should call first. She said, no that would not be necessary which confirmed that she was indeed a part of this plot. So we hopped in the car, grabbed coffee and rolls and made the trip up the mountain. I was instructed to blow the horn as we entered the driveway which I am not accustomed to doing because I have always felt that any boyfriend of my daughter should never blow his horn in the driveway because it's rude. But because of this darn virus, that seems to be the acceptable method for announcing one’s arrival. Sure enough my friends came out with a two sided banner wishing me a happy birthday and displaying my next clue. See attached photos. Clue number two. "2. Shelly gives this clue-‘Goin’ fishin’." This one gave me pause and I had to think a bit. Retirement to me has developed into the best part of my life. God has given me health for which I am thankful and my bills are paid. Anything beyond that has been pure joy from riding a bike to doing part-time jobs to going to dinner and generally smiling a lot. When a friend retires I often question them thus. “What might you do with this next phase of your life?” I might ask them, ‘What are you going to do? Go fishing?” I just had that conversation recently with my buddy John, who is considering what he might do to get out of the house once in a while. Apparently Patti was instructed not to give hints or confirmation of any of my thoughts but simply to tell me when I was thinking in the wrong direction. (No new task for her.) When I mentioned John, she indicated that I was thinking correctly. We drove up and over the mountain and on to another Mountain and got to his house where I was once again met by the front door by a pair of very good friends of mine. Oh yes and their dog. More wonderful birthday greetings and a little bit of fellowship and a promise to go to dinner “when all this is over” ended all too quickly with another clue. "3. Xxxxxxxx gives this clue- we met on a bike ride, then my whole family shared your bathroom for 3 months" that's an interesting clue because it was a whole lot more than my bathroom. This friend’s family actually moved in and lived with us for a while. It was actually a pleasant and fun time which helped us to get to know them better. They have since gone on to be good friends for many years. Little trouble figuring out who they were which caused us to drive up and over more Mountains and another front porch meeting. It was a bit of a rainy day and by now it was raining harder. Front porch meetings were getting wetter but again because of the virus we really did not feel we should be entering homes or getting too close to anyone. More great conversation. What a fun day to think I could visit so many of my friends, hang out for 20 minutes and then move on. I had no idea how much more was yet to come. Oh yes another clue. "4. Chris gives this clue- To another house you must travel to seek the clue. A most important factor is that you once sold a tractor, to this person you know well, and sometimes stop to sit a spell while drinking coffee from Mickey D’s and a roof that kept you on your knees. Testing wires, electric and such, to this person it meant so much. The rhyme concludes with our name. So sad to end this silly game. We want you to know we think you rock. And our last name is ———-" lots of detail in this one but easy to remember. Rhyming their last name resulted in more good friends and more good times. My wife loves to go for a drive. What a great opportunity to spend time with her discussing the scenery along the way, the friendships and the memories. When we arrived at the next destination we were again met with such friendly greetings and this time we were entertained by a full version of the song, Happy Birthday. What vocal harmony between husband and wife! By now people were reading clues for other people that they did not know or understand what possible connection those clues could have. I was even asked if I was allowed to share the answers. I was also reminded not to get too close. I did share the answers and I kept my distance the best I could. Still raining but under a porch another clue came my way. "5. Xxxxxxxx give this clue- it’s time to visit a newer friend. Better get him galvanized, that’s a musty. If you don’t, he’s sure to be ———" Rusty of course. Into the car and off we go. Upon arrival at the next destination we pulled into the driveway and the garage door went up revealing a large and artistically crafted happy birthday sign. See the photo. A delightful visit with new friends, a loving gift and another social distance meeting. We're getting good at this. Our next clue put us back in our car. "6. Rusty gives this clue- go pay your respects to the mayor of Stewart state forest". There is one and only one mayor of such stature and importance that a man such as myself would ever be honored to approach him. Off we go for another visit. Over the River and Through the Woods to another town we go. Mind you it's stormy and raining and there are trees coming down now. Undaunted, we continue on never daring to miss a meeting with such good friends. Of course now we did indeed meet the mayor and his beautiful wife and exchange greetings and photos and gifts. It's difficult to describe what's going on in my heart but I'm beginning to think this is how every birthday should be and would perhaps put an end to the need for mushy funerals. Fear not. Nobody's dying here. It's just so nice to hear the good words and pure love that are sometimes never fully expressed. Is there another clue? Yes there is. " 7. George gives this clue- you’ve spent all morning with your beautiful wife. Go to the place where you too are a bride!" Am I a bride? Yes indeed I am! As a Christian I am a part of the body of Christ, the church, the bride of Christ. Another beautiful ride leads us to the parking lot of our church. This one brought my beautiful bride to tears. As we turned into the parking lot we were met with a line of cars flashing lights and blowing horns. I swung around, got out of the car and stood there to receive the love from at least a dozen of my brothers and sisters as they sang Happy Birthday and wished me well. There were photos and videos and smiles and faces that can only humble my heart. I couldn't help but think that this is like a surprise party where instead of the partygoers visiting me to surprise me, I had to go and meet them at their individual locations. It was like Trunk or Treat but it was all about me. I could view that as a prideful experience but it surely was not. It just told me how greatly loved I truly am. More clues headed my way this time with a bit of confusion. Because Patti was on the phone with Mikey AKA Mission Control a new clue had to be inserted because the contact had been made that would divert our course to the house of yet another friend. Here is that clue "8. FRBC- gives this clue-go see your wingman" this clue is associated with a series of short vignettes that if I find time one day I may include them in my next big story. Suffice it to know that this is a friend I have spent much time with and have indeed shared a wing and a good deal of laughter. So we visited my “wingman” , shared some laughs and wondered where could we wind up next? He provided me with my next clue. "9. Big John gives this clue- Visit the only customer who has ever redeemed a Duane Kolaya gift certificate!" Yes, this is absolutely true! As a Christmas gift one year this next family was actually given a gift certificate to get some work done by me at their house. Interesting to think of the ripples of love in the pond of life that start with ourselves. Makes me think often as I say to myself, “do the right thing.” Over more rivers and more woods to visit a family, take pictures and share some love, including a ‘through the window selfie’. See photos. The final clue was held down by rocks out on a little table. By the way some of these Clues we're on signs, some were verbally stated and I wish that I had recorded them all, some were composed as poetry. Just like life. "10. Mark/ Kirsten give this clue- go to the realm of the queen and of the first bird of spring" What queen and spring bird do I know? Why, it’s Queen Elizabeth of course and Robin! My two little granddaughters who basically started this adventure to whom I am deeply grateful and full of love. This led to the Grand Finale which was Grand indeed as I was once again entertained with song and dance, artwork and cupcakes. As we got into the car to head home the phone rang almost instantly and it was my son Justin . He knew when to call due to the guidance of Mission Control. Isn't it great when a plan comes together? Does life get better than this? If it does, are we even paying attention? I want to thank all of my friends, all of my family and my Heavenly Mission Control and gracious God to whom I owe all that I am. Thank you all for the best birthday ever and a show of appreciation that I never realized I needed. God bless you all and thanks to each of you for being such an important part of my life.

For pictures of the whole event, go to:  

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/13zz7DPCymg_xq4PI_iy5-GB7df-9n0eA?usp=sharing

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