• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Catholic Review

Catholic Review

Inspiring the Archdiocese of Baltimore

Menu
  • Home
  • News
        • Local News
        • World News
        • Vatican News
        • Obituaries
        • Featured Video
        • En Español
        • Sports News
        • Official Clergy Assignments
        • Schools News
  • Commentary
        • Contributors
          • Question Corner
          • George Weigel
          • Elizabeth Scalia
          • Michael R. Heinlein
          • Effie Caldarola
          • Guest Commentary
        • CR Columnists
          • Archbishop William E. Lori
          • Rita Buettner
          • Christopher Gunty
          • George Matysek Jr.
          • Mark Viviano
          • Father Joseph Breighner
          • Father Collin Poston
          • Robyn Barberry
          • Hanael Bianchi
          • Amen Columns
  • Entertainment
        • Events
        • Movie & Television Reviews
        • Arts & Culture
        • Books
        • Recipes
  • About Us
        • Contact Us
        • Our History
        • Meet Our Staff
        • Photos to own
        • Books/CDs/Prayer Cards
        • CR Media platforms
        • Electronic Edition
  • Advertising
  • Shop
        • Purchase Photos
        • Books/CDs/Prayer Cards
        • Magazine Subscriptions
        • Archdiocesan Directory
  • CR Radio
        • CR Radio
        • Protagonistas de Fe
  • News Tips
  • Subscribe

A handcrafted birthday surprise

July 27, 2019
By Rita Buettner
Filed Under: Blog, Open Window

I’m not very easy to surprise.A few days ago, John asked me in passing whether we had any plans for Saturday. I told him no, that we could do whatever he wanted. The conversation fizzled out, as conversations about weekend plans often do.

I didn’t think about it again until Saturday morning when he mentioned that we had to be home at 11:30. That sounded very specific. I started wondering what was happening—but I didn’t ask because I didn’t want to spoil any surprises.

I figured some sort of delivery was planned. I couldn’t imagine what it could be. A little past 11—while John was diligently planting my new crape myrtle in the backyard and apparently not thinking about what was happening at 11:30—it occurred to me that maybe a friend or family member was stopping by for a visit. I glanced around at our house, which was a wreck.

Our boys are home with a sitter every day this summer, and the house feels very…well…lived in. And it was Saturday morning. The living room was actually under construction with pillows and blankets everywhere as the children created a fort. At one point our 11-year-old did go find the vacuum because he wanted the fort to be clean inside. But, miraculous as that moment was, that was the most cleaning that happened all morning.

At 11:30 I heard someone at the door, and it was our friend Deanna!

The last time I saw Deanna was when she was visiting for our Chinese New Year party. At the time, she noticed that we had spread on the back of our couch an afghan she had made for our older son when we were waiting to adopt him. Deanna and her husband were incredibly supportive during both of our adoption journeys, and they have been attending our annual Chinese New Year parties from the beginning.

At the party this past winter, I mentioned how much we love Leo’s afghan. I joked that the blanket’s owner had threatened to charge us rent for using it on the couch.

Deanna mentally took note of the colors of our living room and realized that they matched the colors of a blanket she was already crocheting. She decided to complete the afghan in time for my birthday and give it to me. She had her husband reach out to John to make sure we would be home, so she could come and surprise me.

And she did! I am still astonished that this beautifully handcrafted afghan that matches our living room is mine.

When John saw how wonderful the afghan looked on the back of the couch, he took the time that afternoon to hang the curtains we had selected a couple months ago. Now the room feels so homey and complete.

It’s funny. This year I thought I probably wouldn’t be surprised much this birthday because I went shopping with my mother and my husband separately to pick out my gifts. But it ended up being a birthday of beautiful surprises, nonetheless.

Print Print

Primary Sidebar

Rita Buettner

View all posts from this author

| Recent Commentary |

Comfort my people: Unexpected surprises in life

A father’s gift 

Question Corner: Is the parish administrator the same thing as a pastor?

Yes, it’s our war, too

Asking for human life and dignity protections in the ‘One Big Beautiful Bill Act’

| Recent Local News |

Archbishop Lori offers encouragement to charitable agencies affected by federal cuts

Incoming superior general of Oblate Sisters of Providence outlines priorities

Archbishop Lori announces appointments, including pastor and associate pastor assignments

Oblate Sister Trinita Baeza, teacher and pastoral associate in Baltimore, dies at 98

OLPH’s fourth eucharistic procession, set for June 21, ‘speaks to the heart’

| Catholic Review Radio |

CatholicReview · Catholic Review Radio

Footer

Our Vision

Real Life. Real Faith. 

Catholic Review Media communicates the Gospel and its impact on people’s lives in the Archdiocese of Baltimore and beyond.

Our Mission

Catholic Review Media provides intergenerational communications that inform, teach, inspire and engage Catholics and all of good will in the mission of Christ through diverse forms of media.

Contact

Catholic Review
320 Cathedral Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
443-524-3150
mail@CatholicReview.org

 

Social Media

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Recent

  • House Republicans advance bill to repeal FACE Act
  • Archbishop Lori offers encouragement to charitable agencies affected by federal cuts
  • Incoming superior general of Oblate Sisters of Providence outlines priorities
  • Archbishop Lori announces appointments, including pastor and associate pastor assignments
  • Pope ‘deeply saddened’ by tragic Air India plane crash
  • Television Review: ‘Patience,’ June 15, and streaming, PBS
  • While the U.S. bishops go on retreat this June, business follows them
  • Diversity is cause for strength, not division, pope tells Rome clergy
  • Oblate Sister Trinita Baeza, teacher and pastoral associate in Baltimore, dies at 98

Search

Membership

Catholic Media Assocation

Maryland-Delaware-DC Press Association

The Associated Church Press

© 2025 CATHOLIC REVIEW MEDIA, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED