I had a great day today, the 62nd anniversary of my birthday. I am a lucky, lucky man.
But every birthday I have now gets compared somewhat to two doozies I experienced earlier in my life.
My family and friends threw me a surprise party on my 40th and another one when I turned 50. They were great events and I appreciated them very much.
But the second one was a little bit of a heart stopper and one aspect of it still haunts me from to time.
My wife and kids and I had just returned from church, a little too early as it turned out, and noticed no unusual activity around the house. But as my son and I walked up the steps to the front door, I noticed it wasn’t completely closed and I had a strong feeling that someone was in the house. I sent my son back to the car, then carefully opened the door.
All was quiet but then I saw a foot partially protruding from a doorway. My heart speeded up and I yelled, “Who’s in here?”
Realizing they’d been caught, everyone jumped out to yell “Surprise!” It took a few minutes for me to calm down and we had a heck of a good party.
But 12 years later, I sometimes still see that foot when I come into the empty house.
I don’t know what I would do if the foot ever turned out to belong to a home invader. A home six doors up the street from ours was broken into two weeks ago.
No thanks.
©2013 Jim Hagarty
