I will never forget this fantastic day.
Several weeks ago Ants decided that we should get Ming a ute for his 19th birthday. In order to do so he had to cash in some very precious shares (both monetarily and sentimentally) to afford it.
It took a fair bit of negotiating, research, and secret phone conversations with Anthony and the dealer and there was a long delay in getting the ute fitted with a steel tray which Ants insisted on.
As a result of the delay, Ming’s birthday (10 days ago) came and went and I had to tell him his present hadn’t arrived yet.
Yesterday I got the call to say it was ready so I asked if it could be delivered to the nursing lodge so that Ants could give it to Ming personally. No problem.
So I told Ming we had to be in town by 11.30am to get his present. The only hint I had given him was that it was musical, so he assumed it was some sort of guitar. He didn’t have a clue!
So we got to the nursing lodge and I told Ming to wait in the outside parking lot while I checked if the present had arrived, then I went to get Ants to come outside.
I ran down to the entrance to see the dealer standing next Ming’s ute, waiting, and I almost yelped with excitement as I raced in to get Ants.
Once Ants was seated outside in front of the ute and chatting to the dealer, I raced back up to the outside parking lot and fetched Ming who drove us in and parked our old ute right next to the new one. He still didn’t twig!
Then, standing right in front of the new ute, he said hi to Ants and then, “Dad, what is my present? Mum is ridiculously excited!”
Anthony said, Ït’s right behind you.”
Ming turned around, looked at the dealer who he had assumed was a friend visiting Ants, then looked at the ute of his dreams – a Toyota Hilux Workmate – and his jaw dropped.
More in next post – I can’t continue because I am too happy about the expression on Anthony’s face – and Ming’s – so my words are now caught in my throat!
That is the most wonderful thing Anthony could have done for Ming. No wonder your words are caught.
It took Ming nearly an hour to get over the shock!
Gosh, I feel almost as excited as Ming.
I’m thrilled to bits for Ming & just as much for Anthony (& you of course).
It was the best surprise!
Wonderful. Just what you all needed 🙂 Goose bumps here!
The excitement was almost too much for me!
What a most precious fragment of life.
Yes!
Wonderful – and what a precious moment to savour.
I wish I’d remembered to take my camera!
Words are stuck in my throat too! So exciting!!!
Yeeha!
Priceless!
Yes and now we are broke!
Wow, what a beautiful story, Julie, and a memory I know you and Ming will cherish. So happy for you….
It was the best day!
and in my throat too…
Oh thankyou!
Yah for Ming !! Another Dardy Hoon !
Haha!
how wonderful for you all 🙂 happy birthday Ming ❤ the best of memories Julie ❤
Thanks Dodsy!
Reading the post, I believe all three of you received a most precious gift. Happy Birthday to Ming.
Yes it was definitely a three-way thing!
Beautiful! I’m ridiculously excited for the three of you ❤
Thanks!!!
Love it! Will want to see pictures of course!
Today!
OK – Hurry up I’m going to bed soon hahaha!
Happy birthday Ming! What a fantastic present, day and emotional event for the three of you. You must have been on cloud nine! This is what we are talking about, a more than healthy dose of happiness of three wonderful people.
Thanks Laurie – it was fantastic!
It’s great that this brought such joy to you all….I have to admit…I was not literate in what a ‘ute’ was until near the end of your post..Then I looked it up and found that it refers to a ‘utility vehicle’ and looked up Toyota ….. and saw what it actually looked like…..Wow it’s no wonder Ming’s excited….Diane
Do you call them trucks?
Yes…but I noticed that it is common in other places like Austallia to call them ute’s I don’t know where you are but maybe other places do too…Diane
oh what a beautiful scene. you will treasure this forever
I certainly will!
I’m so happy for you all! And I am laughing at myself because when you said Ute, I pictured a ukulele! Imagine my confusion when you said you parked right next to it. Ha ha! Must be brain fog day.
I should have put ‘truck’ in bracketts!
It’s not a word we use here in my neck of the woods but I did know it…at some point in my past. I remember having to look it up!
Julie, I am sure glad you gave me a hint as to what a ute is. I sat and scratched head and finally gave up and did a search for ute (99 pct of the results indicated the Ute Indian tribe, but I found the 1 pct that said it was a Toyota). But finally you gave it away, thank you! Now if you would just adopt me, I would like one too. Take care, have a great day. — Bill
I would love to adopt you!
This is so cool! It was so exciting that Anthony could be present, both physically and mentally. I didn’t know what a Ute was. i know you will show us. 🙂 🙂
I’ll put a photo up today.
I want to see a picture!!!! I almost had to look up ute, but I figured it out by the end of your post.
Photo coming!
What a wonderful tale. Of course, I had to find out what a Ute was before it made any sense to me. After all, “Ute” also is the name of a Native American tribe here in the States. I was way down a totally wrong path before I figured out that you hadn’t gotten Ming an Indian friend for his birthday!
What fun for you all!
I didn’t know the other meaning of Ute.
What a fantastic present for Ming and what a great idea you and Anthony had…………
It was such a buzz!
Had to google .. the car – some serious motor. What a fantastic gift – I would have been speechless to.
Wow, so happy for Ming and for Ant, you too.
I am still on a high!
A bet you’re !!!! Fantastic …
fantastic day for you three.
Glad to have shared it with you.
Thanks Elizabeth!
Yaaay! Happy moments 😀
It was so fantastic!
yippe yo kiyay! I am so happy for all of you!
Hahahaha!
YOWZERS!!!! and as you tell me GOOD ONYA!!!!! What a terrific day for ALL of you!!!! I will admit, I had to google it, but when I saw it, I was jumping up and down!!!! What a day for the memory banks. Such joy for all of you!. I wish I could have seen the looks on all of your faces…..it’s ok, I can picture it. BIG Hugs Jules!!!
Jo
p.s. I also had to google what a ute/toyota blah blah was… 🙂
Oh Jo – it was such a wonderful surprise!
Nope you are not broke you are rich with superb memories. And just think, next time you don’t want to get out you have Ming to run your errands Now that is priceless.
You are right!
OMG Julie ~ this is the MOST amazing post! I am tearing in happiness…. what a surprise – how did you keep it so hush-hush. So glad this was something you an Ants could still do for Ming TOGETHER. He will remember this day for the rest of his life ~ with a smile… It’s gorgeous too – as is your boy in the other post photo! xxxooo Love and more Love for this happy event 🙂
It kind of feels like Anthony’s last legacy but in a beautiful way. Thanks, Robyn for sharing the joy!
What a beautiful surprise for Ming, Happy Birthday to him. Blessing and Happiness, love, nia
Thankyou Nia!
What a fantastic gift and surprise for Ming. I had tears in my eyes, reading this, Julie. Hugs to you all.
Unforgettable! Thanks so much.
What a wonderful moment!
I think Anthony’s real gift to Ming, however, will be the memory of that moment.
You are so right!
What a joy for you and Ants!