We knew the
forecast was for snow. Actually, there were several forecasts and several
weather models and it all depended upon where the storm would actually track. I
listened to the weatherman- or meteorologist, I suppose is the correct title- and
I looked at his weather map that resembled a pile of colored spaghetti that
fell out of the box (something I’ve done a time or two).
Most of the
channels agreed. The only difference was in how many inches of snow we’d get.
The common theme was that we’d get a lot.
So . . .
On we went to
Walmart. Purchased the necessities and made sure we had enough to get us
through several days, maybe one or two extra “just in case.” Kim and I checked
our lists just to be certain. Now, we only live 1.6 miles from Walmart, but
when it snows, everything is shut down and we knew that if the amount of snow
predicted was accurate, we’d be snowed in for several days. So we Planned And
Prepared.
To paraphrase
John Fogerty in one song and Steve Earle in another, “The Snow (rain) came down
. . .”And we shoveled, and shoveled, and shoveled.
There are two
things Kim likes to do when she is restless: she puts together puzzles and she bakes.
I read and write and watch movies. Emily plows through Netflix, reads, and
after a little prodding, she does some homework. But at least we did the
Planning And Preparing.
Got me thinking
. . .
We Plan And
Prepare for much in our life. Now is tax season, so we gather our records and
receipts and try to make sense of it all. The young ones write and rewrite
cover letters and polish resumes in hopes of obtaining a job. Those of us who
are getting older, look at the possibility of retirement looming off on the
horizon and watch the stock market to see what it might be doing to our 401Ks.
When we were younger, we put money aside for savings, for vacations, for kids’
college.
We Plan And
Prepare for a lot of what goes on in our lives. But, there is much we can’t
Plan And Prepare for.
The car that
won’t start when we really need it to. The roof that gets damaged in a storm.
The leak from a pipe that can’t be found easily. The washer or dryer that
quits. A sick pet. Sudden illness, and sometimes sudden and unexpected death.
Can’t Plan And
Prepare for much of that.
But it seems to
me that if we lead quality lives . . . lives filled with joy and love, with
giving and sharing, the Planning And Preparation for that final call, that
final goal is accomplished along the way. Seems to me that if we lead quality
and compassionate and caring lives, the Planning And Preparation comes
naturally or at least doesn’t seem insurmountable or impossible. And if along
the way we help and lift up those around us, those in our lives, we tend to
help each other Plan And Prepare.
Seems to me
that’s the way we should live anyway . . . helping not only ourselves, but also
those around us, those in our lives. Makes our world, and their world a better
place to be. Makes all the Planning And Preparing a little easier in the long
run. Something to think about . . .
Live Your Life,
and Make A Difference!
To My Readers:
Another 5 Star
Review for Splintered Lives, Book Three of the Lives Trilogy!
“This
book was well-written just like the other two before. The characters and
dialogue go hand in hand and it was easy to immerse yourself in their journey
as the story unveiled. The plot twists and connections among the characters in
this novel make you feel emotional connections to them as well. A great
conclusion to the story and the trilogy. I suggest you read this when you have
a chunk of time on your hands because otherwise, you will be anxious, looking
for a chance to finish it.”
Find
Splintered Lives, along with the Prequel, Taking Lives, Book One, Stolen Lives, and Book Two, Shattered Lives, on Amazon in
both eBook and Paperback versions.