[originally posted June 13 2011, 5:37 AM]
The rain is falling here in Columbia, Missouri. I have adjusted my plans. Life calls on us to adjust our plans often, and we labor under the illusion of control.
In St. Elmo, my father will wake up and adjust his plans. For the past 61 years, he'd check with Iris and make plans. In the last week, after her death, it was my brother and sister and I who were making plans with dad. Today, we've all gone home, and he's at the house with his new adopted daughter-sister, Stephanie.
The rain is sometimes a disappointment, if your plans include picnics. It's a blessing when you've been needing it to water your growing things. And it happens on its own schedule. Flexibility is called for.
I heard my forgetful father talking about his flexibility, while acknowledging his sorrow. It's what we have to do. Adapt, adjust. But we don't have to forget.