Father's Day...1996. Our boys were 9,8 & 7 years old and keeping the silence of The Amazing Gift was a minor miracle in itself.

But, I am getting ahead of myself. Months earlier Bill had been at our local music store and came home glowing. Music was his life. When he spotted the antique classic Guild Guitar the proprietor knew just what to say.

"Go ahead...pick her up...try her."

And he did. And was completely smitten. For a week or more all he could talk about was that guitar. The cost was...well...prohibitive...out of our range.

Unknown to Bill, I stopped to talk to Rod (the shop owner) the very next day. He said that if I wanted to make small payments on it until Father's Day (or after if necessary) the guitar would be Bill's.

For weeks the boys and I would stop and give him money for the guitar. The boys even pitched in part of their weekly allowances. Rod was in on the plot, as well. When Bill stopped by the shop again to see his coveted guitar Rod shook his head and told him it had sold.

That night was the hardest of all...when he came home and glumly remarked that it had sold. And the boys and I commiserated with him. Knowing that it was sold alright...to us.

When Father's Day arrived we were up early as he slept in. Made the traditional Father's Day Breakfast and such but with a twist...when he walked into the kitchen for breakfast on our oak table was the guitar case open and the gleaming Guild of his dreams! The look on his face...the doubletake...the happiness...was priceless!

The boys and I lost Bill to leukemia in 2010...and spent many wonderful Father's Days with him between these years. But this was his Best Father's Day surprise...ever.