My Mom Called at 9:30 Last Night

That’s never a good sign.

With that call came news that a cousin may not make it through the night. Such a kick to the gut. I continued with my plunge into Downton Abbey season 1 escapism. I’ve been escaping a lot lately and in this season of Thanksgiving, I am very thankful for easy escapes on the screen.

During the scramble to get the first child out the door this morning, I received another call. My cousin had passed just a few hours prior. No escape now. But no time to really process either – I had to get myself presentable and my youngest ready for her debut as “Prancing Pony” in her preschool’s Thanksgiving Feast. And work proved no better for that whole “processing” thing. The afternoon gave no respite. Two carpools, a chiropractor appointment across town and then the quintessential mark of motherhood – the first school project (due tomorrow). As I type, I am still in the shoes I wore to work this morning. Good grief.

I now feel fully welcomed into the Junior Steel Magnolia Club. Not because I was busy with life today. That’s an always. What made today different was the underlying beyond-the-usual emotional unrest that was sitting there – sitting all by itself. No crying, no dropping any of the juggling-balls, just walking right through and over the emotions.

God had filled my tank yesterday, and He led me through this one. His presence was felt in every step. I cannot imagine getting one of “those calls” and not knowing the One who will never leave or forsake me (Deuteronomy 31:6).