The PLAN

So the PLAN is to have a group of athletes compete to win games, win medals, exhibit great sportsmanship. That is the PLAN!

But there are times when the PLAN is not quite what we expect. We may see opportunities arise all around the PLAN. Instead of a narrow vision and limited options, we may find that the PLAN can even be accomplished if we explore, look outside of our own space.

When we venture out of our comfort zone we may find that the PLAN may be accomplished by helping others achieve their goals.......score!

Or it may be that the PLAN, while it looked to be about winning and sports, may really be about being with best friends....

and taking home a neat reminder of great fun and new adventures.

No matter how it turns out, the best part of the PLAN is sharing it with those you love!

Gettin' Jiggy

What is it that has this boy dancin'? Music would be a great first guess, but not!  Good grades? Maybe. Good friends? Pretty good. Dinner? Some days perhaps, but not THIS day. The answer my friends, NEW CLOTHES! Yes it appears if you don a pair of Stafford men's Classic Fit slacks and a new polo shirt you can't help but move your groove thing. I love to shop and fortunately so does he. He loves clothes. And when he saw these on the hanger in the men's suit department, NO I was not shopping for him, he exclaimed "This is it mom! I need THESE!" And he began to show me how they would .......work. Needless to say we had the attention of the very seasoned, perhaps original suit salesperson who was quite unsettled by his Elvis like moves. Good times:-) And as you can see the Hound Dogs' still got it goin' on.
He has been most excited to hear from teachers and friends how handsome he is. I already knew that, but apparently others have taken notice. And maybe the twist moves help. Whatever it is I would love to have a little rub off. In the interim, I enjoy the constant celebration of life that is our greatest Valentine's gift ever!

So food for thought: Try on some new clothes, tap your toes, strike that Saturday Night pose and get jiggy!

Looking Ahead

For those who have not experienced a life interrupted, well, I think you are in a coma or on some really great medication. That being said, I have had a journey of unexpected proportions. At the end of the day I can say it is all good. However between Breakfast and Lunch I would tell you it was a bad bad nightmare. I discovered I am not prepared to:

Grow old(er)

Lose my Independence

Lose my Memory

I have however already lost my mind, or so I have been told, so that one is already marked off my bucket list. I was not prepared as to how I would respond to those changes in my parents, and my coping mechanism was well, I would say deplorable is fairly accurate. I had a roller coaster of "reactions" to every phase of "mourning" experienced by my parents. None of them are in the books,,,,,,well they are there but on the WHAT EVER YOU DO, NEVER DO THIS column. Sounds rather tragic I know. BUT I am glad to say that "This too shall pass" is true! That is the greatest news. You see, the loss was gradually accepted and the new unplanned life has begun. I am oh so grateful for those who stood beside me during the dark days, and who reminded me this is a season. And there are many seasons and we have moved into the next season. Wonderful! Now I will tell you I learned some things about myself that will stay with me for some time:

I get angry.

I get anxious.

I get depressed.

I get encouraged.

I get hopeful.

I get comforted.

I get carried!

I get peace.

Those sound normal but I have always been in control, never letting go of the reigns or laying it out there for the world to see. Going forward I know that no matter what situation I am faced with,  I may experience any or all of these BUT I know that it, that unplanned, unexpected diversion, will only be for a season. This too shall pass! And just in case you are wondering, NO that is not a Bible quote, though it rings true of the promise that we have hope.

Philippians 3:13-14:  Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, ¹⁴ I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus