Accepting the Unexpected

Sometimes in life, the unexpected happens. Usually it has nothing to do with our plans, hopes, dreams, wishes... schedules. I suppose that is why it is called "the unexpected" in the first place.

Today has been a day of unexpected events. To begin with, I overslept by about 45 minutes. I simply don't oversleep. My internal alarm clock always gets me up, so I rarely set the irritating buzzing devise that sits near my bed. I like to wake up naturally. But today, no alarm, no early rising. I had to hurry.

Amid the early flurry of showers and french toast, I found out my son's head cold was much better. But my daughter, I discovered during breakfast, had come down with early signs of the same sickness. I wasn't sure if I should be proud of my son for finally sharing with his sister (without being asked) or if I should be discouraged. She has orchestra performances this weekend. Not a good time to get sick.

The next unexpected event came after I dropped the kids off at school. I had signed up to substitute teach for an early learning group of two-year-old children. I've never worked professionally with this age-group so I wasn't sure what to expect. When I got to the classroom I discovered that I was the lead teacher, not a helper. Oh my. I reminded myself that they were only two. Most kids that age don't notice mistakes. They only notice a warm smile and a good snack.

The last unexpected event of the morning came in the form of a late-season snow storm. When I arrived at my job, the clouds were sending down a flake here, a flake there. No big deal. But as the morning wore on, inches began to pile up on cars and sidewalks, with road conditions getting bad. I heard stories of going into the ditch and sliding through stop signs.

I suppose the snow storm shouldn't have been unexpected, since this year's winter doesn't seem to want to depart. It has been cold. But one would expect a small warm-up by now, toward the middle of April. I suppose I should thank the snow. Now the lingering Christmas decorations that I just haven't taken the time to remove from the front of my house look as if they still belong.

With heavy, wet, persistent snow, schools and programs began to close. Afternoon and evening activities canceled, including my late afternoon class I was supposed to teach (not help with). I left just before noon to pick up my own children from their school, now closed due to weather. My schedule was completely sabotaged by some unseen formation, high up in the earth's atmosphere, that decided to deposit all it's clinging droplets of moisture.

On the way home, I looked at my daughter, less chattery than normal, looking a bit flushed and tired. The head cold was making it's presence known. Poor girl. I suddenly began to feel grateful for the unexpected snow storm. So what if we should be out raking up last fall's leaf remnants this time of year? So what if the soil wouldn't be warm enough to plant early this year? So what if the larger lakes wouldn't have ice-out in time for fishing opener!

The snow gave my daughter a gift. A warm bed in lieu of a hard, cold desk. A cup of licorice tea in her hand instead of a math book. A cozy blanket instead of a prop during a late afternoon play practice. Thank you snow, thank you canceled classes and practices. Thank you unexpected events, sometimes you are just what the doctor ordered.

ENCOURAGEMENT: Go with the flow, sometimes it is a blessing when our plans fall through.

Life As It Is

I'm sitting here at a coffee shop drinking a latte while I watch the sun come up. The sky turned from dark to a pale blue with streaks of pinkish-purple clouds just above the horizon. Beautiful. I don't make it a habit to drive 30 minutes from my home so early in the day to have a cup of coffee. Today, however, my son had a field trip at school and needed to be there early. Very early. So here I am.

It's cold out on this March morning, but I know, even in Minnesota, March provides hints of springtime weather. A welcome release from the bondage of relentlessly frigid days. March can be cold, and is usually snowy, but it provides some warm, sunny days and slushy roads that say, "Here comes life, don't miss it!"

I don't want to miss one drop of life. It took me a long, long time, but I am learning to take life as it is. Instead of wishing this or that were better or easier, I try to enjoy the things I used to miss when I was busy looking for tomorrow, like the clouds, or the expression on my daughter's face when she plays the piano. Some things in life pass without notice when I'm too busy wishing, wanting.

Wishing for tomorrow is bad habit. Tomorrow, things will be better. Tomorrow, the pain will subside. Tomorrow, I'll get the house more organized. Tomorrow, the rain will stop. Tomorrow, my son won't be sick. Tomorrow, I'll hear from the publisher. Tomorrow, my life will be easier. Tomorrow, tomorrow, tomorrow.

When my kids were small and there was a task I didn't particularly enjoy (toilet training, illness, nighttime wakings, etc.) I had to discipline myself to be in the moment. It was a battle of inner emotions. While I longed for the trial to pass, I didn't want to wish away the days I had with little ones.

Now the little hands that held rattles and blankies hold iPods and cell phones. The little feet that ran to greet me run out the door to meet a friend. The arms that used to wrap around me for snuggle time on the couch carry purses and backpacks and reach for the world. The hearts that belonged to me, daddy and a teddy bear are now crowded with hopes and dreams of college and adventure and life outside the walls of my home.

No matter. Things will change, they always do. I'm not concerned. I will simply live in today, take life as it is, enjoy the blessings that come during the rain and the flowers that grow afterward. I will live in today. I will enjoy it while it is here.

The sun is higher and the clouds are gray. My coffee has turned cold and it is time for me to plan my day. My mind drifts to my family.They are busy with life and doing what they do, without my help. I hope they are looking around and noticing the smiles amid the frowns. I hope they are living in today and taking life as it is. Tomorrow will get here. Nevertheless, here we are today. I will embrace it.

ENCOURAGEMENT: Live in the moment. While it's important to have goals, budgets, hopes and dreams, we can only live in each moment as it comes. Don't miss today by wishing for tomorrow.