"Life" happens...

reminding us, yet once again, that despite our best laid plans we can always expect the unexpected.

As I wake each day and thank God for a new day of life I linger in the warmth of my bed contemplating the possibilities, the choices of where my time might best be spent.  Growing up in my childhood home my sweet little Italian Mama regularly reminded us that each new day is a gift from God and confirmation that He still has work for us to do on this earth.  (Thank you, Mama.)

Now clear and secure of my intended destination, I'm never short on possibilities for the day.  Inspired by my success of the previous day (Tuesday) I woke and daydreamed of the array of possible accomplishments I might proudly journal at day's end.  So, as I shook myself from my reverie I fired up the old computer to practice the action which I hope to turn into a habit.  Putting my 'day dreams on paper', as one author so eloquently describes her commitment to writing, seems to flow easily after waking from my own personal daydreaming session.

The writing itself leaves me with a great sense of satisfaction opening the door to my next endeavor:  continuing my Christmas quest while simultaneously ordering and clearing the chaos from our home.  The first feeds the second.  So, as I put my final thoughts to (cyber) paper and contemplated my next 'intention' a trip to the emergency room later in the day was beyond my imagining.

After a severe bout of upper abdominal pain (and all the fun things that go along with it) the previous Friday night, followed by two days in bed making use of home remedies, Monday proved to be a fairly productive day.  Tuesday was starting out that way but was short-circuited by a return of the debilitating pain.  NOT part of my plan.  : (

Thanks to my dear daughters and their insistence that they get me to the emergency room last night I awoke  this morning to the gift of a new day.  And pain-free to boot!  As Anna Lou, my oldest, patiently sat with me from 8pm until I was finally released at 1:30am, my best-laid plans were the furtherest thing from my mind.  My heart was warmed and I thanked God for seeing the fruit of parenthood and the loving compassion exemplified in the selflessness of my oldest child.  As I thanked her for her insistence on making sure that I "would live" and being with me each step of that way, she reminded me of the many times I had been there for her as she was growing up.  Patient and loving throughout that more than seven hour ordeal (starting with my text message for more home remedies from our local grocery store and ending upon delivering me safely back home after picking up my medication at our local 24-hour Walgreen's) I couldn't help but think of how very worth it all of those challenging, and sometimes heart-breaking, years of parenting this young woman were.

Not only is life full of unexpected challenges but more importantly, unexpected, inspirational blessings as well.