Good Enough

Rob and I spend most of our waking hours writing history curriculum. 

 We are working on the Medieval year right now - making maps, writing the question pages, finishing up writing the Companion Textbook (that beautiful book is going to be 500+ pages of pure history-rich enjoyment). Sometimes the stress of trying to get everything done makes us a bit looney.  I'm extremely proud of our Medieval Companion and can't wait for it to get on the market but honestly - some days I want to shove the entire project out the window.

Last weekend for my dreaded 50th birthday, Rob was going to get me out of the house and we were going to have fun in Richmond.  We were going to go pick out some plants at a nursery, go to a museum and go out to eat.  Simple pleasures.  Aaron and Elijah were going to go with us but Ben needed to work.  At the last minute I said no.  I didn't want to leave Ben behind.  It was rather wacky of me because we have left Ben behind numerous times - including for 8 weeks when we were adopting Aaron.  But last Saturday I felt deep in my spirit that we needed to stay home.

So instead of traveling to Richmond to the nursery to get plants, Rob and Aaron and I went to the nearby Lowes.  We were about 15 minutes from home.  It was fun picking out plants for my pitiful, weed-filled flower beds.  After an hour of looking and wandering and discussing - we had everything picked out.  All we had to do was pay for our treasures and go home.  That was when the phone rang.  "Mom, I've been in a car accident."

I cannot tell you how I felt at that moment to hear my son on the other end of the line uttering those words through broken sobs.  My mind went numb.  We abandoned our plants to be with our son.  The accident was 'minor' as they go.  No one went to the hospital - Ben wasn't charged - all was well (except for the car which looks a bit like an accordion in the front).  But the reality of how fragile life really is hit us hard.  In one phone call we were reminded that nothing in this life is guaranteed.  Tragedies happen.  Things can quickly spin out of control.  In one moment we were reminded how precious to us are our children.  Broken cars can be fixed.  Broken boys... well....

I was beyond grateful that we were close to home when the phone rang.  I was grateful for the whispering in my spirit that staying home to be near one son was just as good as trips to get away.  I was grateful too to spend time with family at a nearby restaurant - together - happy - a family.  It was not the 50th celebration I envisioned.... but  for all of us to be around the table together - it was good enough.