Happy (Early) Birthday, Daddy!

What's the best way to give someone a birthday surprise? Give them their gift five months before their birthday!! That's what my family did for me Monday after I kind of inadvertently forced their hand. The other day, Betty told me that she had already gotten my birthday present and she was so proud of it. Monday, I came home from work with a book that one of my co-workers gave me to borrow because he knew that I'd enjoy it.

Betty saw me reading and asked me what book it was. I said, "It's a great book about Boo Ferriss." Betty couldn't believe it! She finally had found a great gift for me that I'd love and be surprised too, and here I was ruining it!!! She disappeared to the back for a minute and then came back up front and said, "Happy Birthday!" and presented me with an autographed copy of the same Boo Ferriss book! I love it! She did great! It didn't ruin the surprise for me at all.

For those of you who aren't obsessed with the Boston Red Sox or don't know anything about Delta State baseball, Boo Ferriss is a man from Shaw, MS, who pitched for Mississippi State in the early 40's and then signed with the Boston Red Sox. He made his debut with the Sox in 1945, and was one of the most dominant pitchers in baseball for three years until he tore the labrum in his throwing shoulder that eventually ended his pitching career. He played with Ted Williams and pitched a shutout in the 1946 World Series against the St. Louis Cardinals. After his playing days were over, he went into coaching and ended up coaching at Delta State and became a legend over there. I've met him a couple of times and he was very gracious and even talked about the Red Sox a little with me.

Thanks, Betty, McKenzie, and Matt for the wonderful birthday surprise! I love it!