Best Laid Plans

“We must be willing to let go of the life we planned, so as to have the life that is waiting for us.” ~ Joseph Campbell

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Has anyone ever had their plans go awry? I don’t mean plans where you’re supposed to meet a friend for dinner and your car won’t start. I’m speaking of an entire life taking a sharp turn onto a completely foreign road.

It happened to me. I had my life all planned out. I got married a little young, but had the rest figured out. This is how it was supposed to go: I’d work full time until we had our first child at age 30, then our second at age 33. I’d stay home with our children and work on a writing career. We’d live near both of our parents so our kids would have their grandparents in their lives. We’d gather for holidays and special occasions with our siblings so our kids could celebrate with cousins. We’d take turns at each others homes, and we’d cook big feasts … the same way it was for me as a kid.

HA! The gods were laughing while I set all of these plans in stone … breakable stone.

Here is what really happened: we live 1,200 miles away from family. We were unable to have children, and we rarely hear from any of our siblings. (The miles are no excuse with technology today. And please don’t ask about adoption, that’s a topic for an entirely different blog. If you’d like to know a little more about my infertility journey, I shared it here).

Guess what? I’m confident my life is where it’s supposed to be, and I am fulfilled. I love my life. I love my home. I love my husband. I love my dog(s). I’m so grateful to have my humble abode that keeps me cool in Florida (God knows why they built this thing with a fireplace). I’m grateful for my small fenced yard. I don’t travel much, but I feel like I’m still on an adventure of sorts.

I’ve got the world on my lap with the internet, and I can’t express how grateful I am for that one. I used to hate doing research for school and for writing before this cyberspace-thing existed, and now it’s easy.

Many people might find my life mundane, but on an evening when I’m snuggled up against my honey, with our dog lying at our feet, I’m blissful!I’m grateful to have two vehicles that are not the newest out there, but they get us where we need to go.

I’m grateful to have enough food to keep us sustained. I’m grateful for the hands to cook it with, and for the taste buds to enjoy my delectable creations.

I’m grateful for my fingers that are typing right now.

I’m not always healthy, but it makes me more appreciative for when I’m feeling well.

I’m not going to deny that sometimes I miss having a family like the one I had growing up, but that’s natural. On occasion, I’m sure many people miss their childhood, and those with grown children miss the early days too. It happens, then it passes. I am grateful for the cherished memories of the family I had as a child (shared in my book anthology).

From time to time you may read a complaint on my blog about living in Florida, but I know that despite battling the heat and hurricanes, I’ve got it good.

I’m grateful for my legs that take me on our evening walks with the dog. I’m grateful to be able to soak in the sweet scent of jasmine along the way.I’m grateful for my eyesight that catches a glorious sunset before we head home from our stroll.I’m grateful to talk to people all across the globe on my blog. I’m grateful for all of you who are reading this now. May you be blessed with your own fulfilling path.

(To use any photos on this page, please attribute Lori and this blog)