I love calendars. I love date books. I like writing things down - knowing exactly when I’m doing something and where I’m doing it. I’m pretty techy too - Harv and I share a calendar on our phones!

My calendar has a “month at a glance” section and also a weekly section. I write in the monthly calendar and then each Sunday afternoon - I record my weekly activities in my book and on my phone - gym (9-10) - pickle ball (Monday, Wednesday, Friday (1-4) - lunch dates - appointments - visits from the kids and grandkids - it’s all there!

I also love using different colours of pens in my calendars (you can’t do that on your phone) . Blue for the gym - pink for pickle ball - red for appointments - green for lunch dates - etc.

This week was planned to perfection - just enough in the days to be fun without being exhausting! And then……it all changed!

The phone rang on Monday morning! It was the call we were waiting for - the call that would set the date for Harv’s knee surgery - in two or three months! However, we were informed that there was a cancellation for Thursday morning at 8 am! (today!) We looked at each other and nodded! WE would take it. We had two days to prepare! That phone call changed everything for this week and for the next 4 - 6 weeks as well.

I was reminded of the Proverb that says - we can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps. I was reminded to hold my plans in an open hand and open heart ready to change at a moment’s notice.

Harv spent all day Tuesday - driving to London - having his pre-op appointment - driving home. I spent my day co-ordinating and playing in a pickle ball tournament - we both arrived home tired but having a sense of accomplishment for the day.

I started cancelling plans for Wednesday, Thursday and Friday! I also changed a few things in the next few weeks! I would be looking after my husband.

Harv did a a few chores Wednesday morning that he won’t be able to do for the next several weeks while he is recovering - check the hot tub - cut the grass - etc. I asked him if he could quickly wash the windows, vacuum and wash the floor too before we left. Duh! I asked him with a smile!

I’m thankful that Harv is getting his knee fixed! He’s had trouble with it for the last few years and had to give up hockey and pickle ball! He’ll be a new bionic man! He’ll buzz when we go through security at the airport! He’ll be able to hike the next part of the Camino with me someday! Or at least walk to the corner and back! He won’t be in pain.

I was thinking of the different hats I’ll be wearing in the next six weeks.

Nurse!

Maid!

Chef!

Grocery shopper!

Lawn Cutter

Chauffeur!

With the change of plans over the next few days and weeks, I’m reminded of the importance of knowing that life - and - all of its ups and downs, comings and goings, joys and sorrows, twists and turns - must be held with flexibility, calmness, confidence and trust. The opposite is holding my life and schedule with a clenched fist - that only leads to tension and pressure and anger and frustration. I’m grateful that I can joyfully say - ‘this is the day the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it!”

If you want to do something together in November - drop me a line - my calendar is beginning to fill up!