1 post tagged “surprise me”

Do you like surprises?

Well... most of the time, no.

I like good surprises.  I like happy surprises.  I like surprises such as found money and unexpected praise for hard work.  I like the warm feeling I get when someone acknowledges me or my effort, or celebrates a special occasion.  I like surprise flowers, surprise cards and surprise treats.  I like winning another $4 at the lottery or finding my little boy outside my work door with lunch.  I really appreciate people who surprise me with words or things or deeds that strike a chord with me, that connect some special part of my personality or history.  For example, last Christmas, two friends presented me with a watch featuring my son's picture.  I wear that watch every day, and it touched me that they knew me well enough to understand the importance of time and the perspective of seeing his face.

I do not like surprises where I have no advanced warning, which, yes, I know defeats the purpose of the surprise.  I don't like surprise trips, for example.  Surprising me with tickets to Paris, while romantic and lovely, would set me on edge.  What about packing?  Who's taking care of my son?  How are we getting to the airport?  Who's paying for this?  The overwhelming number of questions that come from the surprise cause me more stress than the enjoyment intended by the surprise itself.  I need organization and planning in my surprises.  I also don't like changes to routine or schedule that take me out of my comfort zone.  A surprise meeting at work, for example, distresses me, especially when it's announced 10 minutes before hand.  I attribute this intense dislike for surprises from my years working in daycare and licensing would show up for unannounced visits.  That set me on edge because I never knew what to expect.

Impulse is not in my vocabulary, but I appreciate, even enjoy, a good surprise.