I am beginning to look at grand parenting the same as a doctor on call…you just never know when the emergency is going to hit. Calls have come in during work…lunches with friends…just as I settled in for quiet and a favorite movie….and then, last Tuesday at 2 A.M…

Tuesday began as Tuesdays have since July with a visit to the torture chamber…my weight training session. Typically Tuesdays are “arm” days, and Thursdays “leg” days. However, since we were taking off for the holiday, BZ, my trainer, doubled up!! This is the first week in a long time, I was challenged to move any part of my body after the workout!

Back to 2 a.m. My daughter called in a panic. They were in an emergency room with my nine month old grandson and waiting to transfer to a pediatric hospital. At that moment, the diagnosis was pneumonia in both lungs…later the virus RSV would be added to the list. When I jumped out of bed, I realized walking was going to be a problem…pain shot through both thighs. So, here I go off into the night…stiff…sore…and knowing my strength would be important. Over the next two and half days, I took my turn holding a baby burning with high fever, struggling to breathe, and obviously terrified. Not to mention, my own little girl, now a woman with a sick child, trying to hold her own….who needed my calm resolve in order not to panic. So, I walked the sterile hallways just like a stiff, elderly woman struggling to keep eyes open with no complaints.

Monday had been planning day for a big Thanksgiving with ten guests…which never happened.

The turkey never left the refrigerator.

Celery was never chopped.

Applewood bacon not thawed.

Gravy never was whisked through with a rich, savory stock.

Rosemary never picked from outside.

Table never decorated and set.

Expectations of the perfect meal with family were eaten just as if little Pac-men had come chopping through my house devouring a holiday I dearly love. Yet, three days later everyone would arrive home. The precious little one was released and a couple of my children were determined to “save Thanksgiving.” They brought food prepared at the grocery…good wine…games to play around the kitchen table…and laughter. Pac-men can’t eat determination, joy, or family love. These are the sounds which resonated into the night and warmed my heart.

It is officially the season. I suppose the plethora of holiday movies in a Pinterest world provide higher expectations for perfect events more than any other time of year. We slave over meals and decorations and shopping and outfits. Each twinkling light must be perfectly placed…each Christmas cookie perfectly iced…each stocking hung by the chimney with care. However, the real joy is discovered on the faces of those we do it all for, and if they need us to make an adjustment, we should remember it is about them and not the tinsel around them. My disappointment over Thanksgiving expectations lasted only until I saw all of my children and their spouses laughing, teasing, and enjoying one another.

Expect nothing…appreciate everything. Not sure who said this, but there is wisdom in the thought.

Hopefully, Christmas will include the turkey dinner not made…and the ability to walk! Yet, I know if BZ has his way…it is not going to be easy.

See you next week in The Joy Boutique!

Pamela Lutrell

Pamela Lutrell began her blog, over50feeling40, July 2010 with a desire to encourage women over 50 to walk in strength, confidence and joy. Of course, head turning style makes each day fun! She adds blogger to her multi-tasking life of wife, mom, grandmother, high school teacher, freelance writer, and editor. Pam loves her titles as Goodwill Ambassador and Harper’s Bazaar Style Ambassador all at the same time! She was also thrilled to be named one of the nine most exciting over 50 citizens of San Antonio, Texas. She believes this is the best time of life! Instagram: over50feeling40

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