100 Moose members can keep a secret.

Last Saturday night, our Moose Family Center helped one of our members celebrate his 60th birthday. The preparations for this party were tough on Bill's wife because she had to give invitations to 100 people in writing. Janice wanted it to be a surprise so not one word could be said in the lodge so that Bill wouldn't hear anything. Janice started giving out the invitations over a month ago, making everyone promise not to breath a word to Bill, asking everyone to be at the lodge no later that 6:15 PM. Everyone agreed to keep the secret and to show up on time.

Janice promised Bill that she would take him to dinner at his favorite Santa Barbara restaurant. She told him she made reservations at 8:00 so they had to leave about 6:30. On the way, she asked him to stop by the lodge because her camera was still there because she forgot it Friday night. Bill in his usual good natured mood agreed to the stop.

Saturday night was an absolutely perfect night for a party.The temperature was 76 outside and the hall was very comfortable. Just as we promised, everyone showed up at 6:15. We all herded to one side of the hall (good thing we weren't on a ship). No one made a sound. When Bill walked into the hall, everyone yelled the compulsory SURPRISE. Bill was shocked to say the least, and when he realized there were about 100 of us to share his birthday he started to cry.

After everyone was seated, Janice had Bill stand to receive his birthday present. She apologized to him for the cost and size of the gift, telling him that when she saw it, she knew it was something he would love. She had one of the men blindfold Bill then went into the kitchen and brought out their daughter, son-in-law and 4 grandchildren. They live on the other side of the country in Virginia and the last visit was Christmas when Bill and Janice were there.

The kids all lined up in a straight row in front of Bill. Not one of the little ones (5 up to 12) made a single sound. Then the blindfold was removed. It took a second for Bill's eyes to adjust to the light then he was staring right into the eyes of his beloved daughter (Bill and Janice only have two kids, their daughter Casey and son Todd,who lives in our town and has no children). He look down at his grandkids then fell to his knees hugging all of them at once and sobbing uncontrollably. It was the most beautiful sight we have all seen and there weren't many dry eyes in the room.

During the entire evening, all Bill could repeat was "I can't believe everyone kept the secret!". Janice showed a video of Bill's life from babyhood to the present including his years in Vietnam. It was a wonderful party. The food was super, the music was great, including the karioke (his grandkids sang to him),and dancing. Everyone had the best time teasing Bill about his crossing over the "60" mountain, but Bill didn't care. He was just so jazzed that we were all there sharing his birthday.

The fact that the secret of the party was kept by 100 people for over a month and a half was the best surprise of all. It goes to show that anything is possible. I have said before that our Moose Family Center is well named. Our family shared one very special evening which will be long remembered not only by Bill and Janice but by all of us who were given the chance to participate in this wonderful secret.