Black Bowls Saga by Joan Cook   2005 Continued   NOVEMBER 2005 Mom had informed me in an earlier phone conversation that she had ordered new hearing aids.  Since her specialist, Fritz is a good friend of mine and is on the email list of receiving updates on BLACK BOWLS saga, I thought I would tap him on the shoulders and ask for his help in delivering the BLACK BOWLS.  Fritz emailed me back saying he would be delighted to be a part of this devious plan. I asked Peggy to deliver the BLACK BOWLS to Fritz prior to Mom’s hearing aids delivery.  Mom goes in for her appointment with Fritz and he fits her new hearing aids on her.  After a few adjustments, he then hands her a bag and tells her that the instructions and any other information is all in the bag.  She merrily drives back home happy with her new purchase.    The next day Mom finally decides to read her manual and was surprised to find more than just the manuals in her bag.   She just could not believe that those BLACK BOWLS were in the bag and she called me up to let me know that too.     JUNE 2005 I had decided early in June to attend my niece, Heidi’s high school graduation since Rod was planning to be in Peru.  I was coordinating my flight arrival with my sister, Peggy, to match my niece, Lisa and her fiancé, Kyle’s arrival time into Seattle’s airport.  Peggy asked me, “Should we tell Mom that you are coming.”  I said, “Nah, let’s have some fun in delivering the BLACK BOWLS back to Mom.” I was chatting on the phone with Mom the week before my arrival date and all of the sudden she tells me that she thinks I am coming out to Seattle for the graduation.  Rod’s plans for Peru changed a couple of days prior to this call and he jumped on the opportunity to attend his hometown reunion in MT.  So I told Mom that our plans have changed and that we were going to MT for the reunion.  She kept pressuring me for a straight “YES” or “NO” answer.  I finally had to say a silent prayer requesting forgiveness for what I was about to do and answered my Mom with a straight “NO”!  Mom wanted to hear that “NO” once again, so I told her “NO”!  Then she grew silent and then she piped up with “You sent those BLACK BOWLS to Lisa and Kyle?”   I wiped my forehead with relief knowing that I was not dishonest with my answer of “NO”!   Again, Mom wanted to hear that “NO” once again.  Oh Lordy!! Here is how the scene unfolded.  We were not sure if Mom would join Peggy, Norm and Heidi down to the airport.  Peggy asked Heidi on the way to the airport to send a text message on her phone to Lisa’s phone to let her know that Mom is riding down with them.  I met up with Lisa and Kyle in the baggage claim and handed the package with the BLACK BOWLS to Lisa.  Now picture this scene at the airport pickup curb site, Lisa and Kyle are both around 6’ tall and I am…..just a little shorter, 5”4”.  So it is pretty easy to hide behind these 2 tall kids cuddling together.  All 3 of us were laughing so hard that we had a hard time standing still when their van arrived.  Peggy, Norm, & Heidi jumped out of the van to greet Lisa and Kyle.  Peggy is motioning me to crouch down below the van windows to stay out of Mom’s line of site.  Everyone greeted each other (except me), loaded the suitcases and Lisa hops into the back of the van and leaves the package with Mom.  Mom looked at the package and she has this look of “You didn’t just hand me those BLACK BOWLS again, did you?” I had my camera in hand and stood in the doorway of the van.  Mom took one look at me and said “YOU LIED TO ME!!!” I said, “Hi Mom, aren’t you glad to see me?”  “YOU LIED TO ME,” she replied.  The whole ride home she kept saying “YOU LIED TO ME” and everyone in the vehicle was cracking up.  She looked at the package and says, “I know what is in there, why do I need to open it?”  I told her that there was more than just BLACK BOWLS in there.   She enjoyed the pictures that I had printed up for her.  When we were getting ready to go to bed that evening, I gave her another hug.  She smiled and said “Okay, I forgive you!”     DECEMBER 2005 Mom, Peggy and her family came to Colorado to celebrate Christmas early.  Rod and I had been so busy with the business during the previous 3 months that I was looking forward to relaxing and enjoying my family for the holiday.  Well, Mom caught me off guard and sure enough, there was a gift for me under tree that contained the BLACK BOWLS.   You should have seen the twinkle in Mom’s eyes when I gasped at receiving the BLACK BOWLS once again.