My boys and me: Change of Plans

"In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps." Proverbs 16:9

I am reminded sometimes that for all my planning, the best life has to offer can be found in its great interruptions. Take this past week, for instance. Last Wednesday, I was looking forward to weekend of Monster Jam, Sid the Science Kid and even a little Daytona 500. None of that happened.

Instead, my Papaw was readmitted into the hospital -- one of a handful of visits he's made recently. It came on the heels of Mamaw just getting home from a stay herself. Needless to say, everyone was spent. Change of plans. I decided to head East to Jonesborough, asked my mom if she'd take the boys for a couple of days, and left John in Memphis to work.

What followed was three days of exhausting trips between the hospital and my grandparents house. I was anxious, angry and tired. Irritated. Frustrated. And blessed by this great interruption.

I want to forever remember the nights my grandmother and I slept in the same bed and talked like old girlfriends. When you've been married to someone for more than 50 years, sleeping alone feels funny. Together, my grandmother and I made potato soup, and the best chicken salad I've ever had. "Add a little white vinegar, it add some wang," she told me. Me cutting and shredding. She instructing from her seat. And as scary as it was for a while, I want to remember the quiet hours in the hospital room -- just me and Papaw, talking about everything and anything.

Jack and Ben did OK themselves. They made a trip to the Dinosaur exhibit in Knoxville, spent a day at the park and eventually ended up exploring the dairy farm my brother lives on. Great interruptions. Thanks to her new iPad, Mom was able to keep me up on the weekend. I received a photo or two every couple of hours.