This week I have been with my sisters and brothers, sharing a house in Rhode Island to celebrate a 60^th birthday, an engagement of a niece, the 4^th of July and to spend time together as a family. We have not done this in many years.  

The surprise was supposed to come on Saturday at 2:30 PM, when we had a “Surprise Party” for our youngest brother Pierre as he turned 60 years old. My brother Eric, who is the next youngest and 2 years older than Pierre, worked so hard on this party. He had plans in place since the beginning of the year and made sure that Pierre would have a surprise.  

We had arranged for a special house that could accommodate all the family. Eric ordered the food, delicious gourmet food. He created some original decorations honoring Pierre. He spent hours developing a slide show of Pierre’s life complete with special music and contributions from all the family.  

He made arrangements with Pierre’s family for him to arrive under the pretext of helping with Eric’s daughter’s engagement party which had been scheduled for the next day. Saturday at noon, Pierre’s girlfriend called in a panic. Pierre had been traveling by plane all week and had just tested positive for COVID. He could not come to the party. 

He couldn’t even come over with a mask and stand in the yard. He was sick and in bed. Poor Eric was clearly shaken. He had picked up the food that morning. Guests were arriving from far and wide. The party could not be rescheduled. What to do? 

We put our heads together as a family and decided to keep the party a secret from Pierre and also keep Pierre’s sickness from the guests. The guests arrived and waited for the birthday boy. We had the partygoers practice yelling “Surprise” and recorded it.  

Then came the next surprise, Eric told the guests that Pierre was sick and would not be able to make the party. Of course, they were distressed about him and worried about his health.  Then Eric FaceTimed Pierre and we all yelled “Surprise!” And sang “Happy Birthday!” 

In the end, the party was a success although the guest of honor spent the time in bed taking medicine. We hope to see him before we have to leave on Friday. 

So, what was God’s role in this event? My brother Eric and I do not share the same vision of God in our lives. His comment to me when he received the news of Pierre’s illness was to remind me of the old Jewish saying “Man plans, and God laughs.” I said to him, “I thought that you didn’t believe in God.” He replied, “I do when things like this happen.” 

I don’t agree with that saying or his answer. I don’t believe that God interferes with our lives. We have free will and the world has a set of laws which it must obey, this is all beyond our control. I believe that God loves us unconditionally no matter what we believe. I believe that loving God was with us on Saturday as we made our alternative plans and carried them out. Remember He loves you, too! 

Terri