Madge and Surprises

Typically, people either like to be surprised or they do not like to be surprised. Mary loves surprises. I, well, not so much. Perhaps I'm too control-oriented, wanting to know what the next minute will hold. Either way, it's good to know people's surprise preferences, particularly close those of family members and of close friends.

Anyhow, I woke up early Saturday morning to go for a run. I left the house while all the girls were still asleep. When Madge woke up, she forgot it was Saturday and assumed that I had gone to work for the day. (I normally leave for work early in the mornings and hence never see the girls before I leave for the day.) I showed up at home at 7:30am, sweating and happy. Madge was so happy to see me. "You surprised me, Dad. I thought you were at work!" It was a joyful moment of reunion.

Later that weekend, we were at the park. Madge was sitting on my lap on the swings, as we were spider-swinging. We were looking into one another's eyes, as her little face was just a foot or so from my own. As we were talking, I asked her whether she liked surprises. Her thoughtful response surprised me: "Dad, I like it when I get birthday gift surprises for my birthday. But, I don't like to be surprised when you're staying home. I want to know what's going on."

Madge, I completely understand. Thanks for revealing more of yourself and your little preferences. Neat that you're forming your own personality. Madge seems to get the surprise picture already. Earlier in the weekend, she picked out a bunch of roses at the store so we could surprise Mom. Mares does love surprises.