Not Exactly As Planned

Last week I wrote about how thankful I was to be able to spend Thanksgiving in Myrtle Beach with my family. I had been traveling so much lately and really needed to spend quality time with my children and get some rest.

We drove eight hours (for a five-and-a-half hour trip) and happily checked into the resort at 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, ready to get out of the car. We spent a quiet evening as planned. The next day we went to the clubhouse and played bingo, winning three out of five prizes. My children are a little competitive. Then we went swimming at the indoor pool. A great time was had by all. We had the next three days planned out as well.

But, while I was making dinner Sunday night, Katherine was helping, like she usually does. However, she was in a strange kitchen and standing on an unfamiliar chair. She slipped. To catch herself, she instinctively put her hand down on the red-hot flat-top electric stove. A trip to the emergency room ensued, which was followed by hastily packing up the car (to include $130 worth of groceries we had just purchased that morning) and heading back to Atlanta so we could be at the burn center by 8:00 a.m. Monday.

From time of incident to pulling away toward home, it was only four hours and 15 minutes.

Today I am thankful for different reasons. You can likely guess what they are so I won’t belabor the point. However, I will take you back to my original post of last week with the tips I left for you. Despite not having any sleep Sunday night and being at the burn center most of Monday, I still accomplished my goals. I spent quality time with my family, I got some rest, and I reflected on my past and created my future for three current businesses and one new venture. Additionally, because I returned home early, I was able to check off some much-needed “to do” list items at the house (purging children's toys to make room for the new ones next month).

In times of crisis, there are lessons to be learned and thanks to be expressed. Now and always I am thankful for my health, high energy and ability to see the forest for the trees.

Victoria L. Collier is a Veteran and Certified Elder Law Attorney, Fellow of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, Co-Founder of Lawyers With Purpose LLC, and author of “47 Secret Veterans’ Benefits for Seniors—Benefits You Have Earned … but Don’t Know About.”