When worlds collide

I had it all planned...


Since early December, I've been working on the Caregiver Expo that Community Hospice and the Caregivers Coalition of Northeast Florida will present on Saturday, April 26.


In late March, I received a writing assignment for Beson4 publications. I was to profile nine people who have had a strong association with the First Coast American Heart Association and write the introduction.  As the editor wrote, "this is a big 'assignment'".


That's okay I thought.  I can do it.  I just have to plan my time.


Oh and I forgot.  My mother was coming for a visit on April 27.


That was great.  My writing assignment would be done; the Caregiver Expo would be over.


I would have Sunday, April 27 to finish getting ready for my mother's arrival and be ready to meet her plane - relaxed and excited to have her here for the month of May.


And then on Monday, April 21 - something unimaginable happened.


I read these words on Facebook - "Pray for Blakelie - having emergency surgery to remove her spleen".  Blakelie, the adorable 4 year old child of my very special niece, Leslie.


And then a text from my sister, Cindy - "she is with Jesus".


Suddenly all the plans I had made were thrown to the wind.  I wanted to get in my car and drive to Orlando. 


And yet the responsibilities were still looming.


Writing, planning, preparing for my mother's arrival - four days ahead of schedule


I felt like my worlds were colliding


Wait - my worlds didn't collide.  They combined. 


How? Through family and friends who have responded - with words of comfort, acts of love, hugs of encouragement.


The writing assignment is complete; the Caregiver Expo will happen, my mother is here.


All is right in my world?  Nah


But I do have assurance that whether worlds collide or combine - it will ALL get done.


And although I'm not sure any one in our family or the circle of friends who are being there for us really believes this - at some point -like our daddy would say if he were here "everything's gonna be alright".


I'd just like to know when.