I woke and went downstairs to check the weather reports for New York City, my destination for the afternoon to attend a memorial service. The meteorologist forecast heavy rains for precisely the time the service would be ending. When it rains in Manhattan it can be nearly impossible to hail a cab, especially during rush hour. I thought of a friend’s mother and how she would probably need a ride home after the service. If I drove my minivan into the city early and found a parking space near the church, I could be that ride for her.
And it worked out just like that. There were a few bumps: I couldn’t park as closely as I would have liked because New York University’s commencement ceremonies took place that day. But I did get a spot and I did give my friend and her mother rides home in the pouring rain.
This also happened: Right when the service ended and I was on my way out to retrieve my minivan, I received a call from my husband. He said what seemed to be a tornado had struck our Connecticut neighborhood. Within minutes trees had fallen all over town. Our house, along with homes in the majority of our town, had no power. Okay.
I made my way home that night through the wreckage. This was some storm. The trees weren’t just knocked down, they were SHREDDED. It’s like Mother Nature wanted to make potholders by weaving together branches and power lines. It will take time and care to untangle the mess.
Photo by Donald Wismann
What had been my plans for the rest of the week? They had included writing for my next novel, a luncheon with college classmates, reading time, more writing. Most of that has been out the window. Schools for both my son and husband (he’s a middle school band director) are closed.
I could be tense and frustrated. Instead I’m focusing on what I can and have been able to do. My friend, the writer Peter Wright, is visiting from Florida so my family and I spent time with him on a rainy Wednesday. We hunkered down Thursday in our church’s library where I began writing this and our son hung out with one of his friends from school while our devices charged.
Today a nearly thwarted plan succeeded—my husband was able to salvage a scheduled performance field trip with his students at an amusement park and our son joined him. I’m again in the church library writing. Tomorrow I’ll go back into the city and participate in a friend’s memorial service for her husband. We might have power by Sunday.
With Pete Wright in NYC. Photo by Darryl Gregory
I’m appreciating the calm of this room and the sound of my friend Don, the music minister here, practicing the organ in the sanctuary. I have my calendar/planner open on the table in front of me and I’m working on checking off a few items on my to-do list before I can bring myself to turn the page and think about plans for next week. But this is life. I’ll take it as it comes, planning as I’m able but holding those plans loosely, knowing some may work out and some may not. It’s all good.
Ahhhhh, I thought perhaps life had thrown a curveball your way. But wow, that was more than a curveball. Praying things right themselves soon.