Surprise ! Surprise!

This morning I received a phone call from Bill Johnson. He was the committee chairman for coordinating getting the flags, etc that we used when the Wall came. He also happens to be the president of the Woodman of the World lodge here in Tifton. Their meetings are held the same place we have our family reunions. Anyhoo, he called this morning and invited me to the Lodge's Christmas party this evening. (I had spoken at one of their meetings during March) Since I had nothing better to do this evening, I went. It was weird walking into the building and not seeing any of my relatives there. The meal was catered by the Ole Time Country Buffet so not only was the meal free for me, it was good! After the meal, of course there was a visit from Santa Claus. Then they went into their "business" part of the meeting. I didn't want to be rude and just get up and walk out, so I just sat and looked as though I belonged there. Bill and this other lady (some kind of officer of the group) said now it was time to give presents to the "big kids" there at the meeting.
Bill looked around the room and then he opened this envelope and started reading something about the highest award that the lodge gives each year. It was the "Honor Award." He said it is an award given to a person in the community who is not a member of the Lodge, but who the lodge members decide has done something noteworthy in the community, but also upholds the values of the Lodge. He then called my name to come forward. I almost choked on my ice cube I was munching on and he had to call my name twice. He presented me with the Honor Award and everyone gave me a standing ovation! Needless to say, I was stunned! The plaque has my name engraved on it and the year 2008. It was truly an unexpected gift and I am deeply humbled by it.
Later on, they drew numbers for the door prizes. I got a small, green tinsel tree that has two dog figurines that sit on either side of it. The dogs even look like Lacey. They both have Santa hats on. My Christmas decorating is now done for this year!! Yeah!!
Oh, one more thing....I got my new bifocal contacts today. Other than give me a headache, (I guess from all the things I can now see that I had been missing before! ) I can feel nothing in my eye and that is the way they are suppossed to feel. I guess I thought they would have a line in the middle of them or something, but they are just weighted a little heavier on the bottom curve. Isn't it amazing what technology can do these days!