"The best laid plans"

An article I wrote for our L'Arche Atlanta Fall 2013 newsletter:

                In our weekly planning meeting, it was decided that something free and fun would fit the bill for Saturday.  Sara suggested Sweetwater Park, just a 20-minute drive from home, with a relatively wide, flat, short trail to an old mill – a spot that she’s wanted to show the house for a long time. 

John, Terry, and I weighed in, and everyone seemed gung-ho for this adventure.  (Patrick and Tim were out of town.)  And thus, we had made plans.

                Saturday morning came, and I looked at the forecast.  Chance of rain was to increase throughout the day, so we decided to go first thing after breakfast. 

                It was already drizzly, so I grabbed my raincoat and prompted everyone else to grab theirs – “just in case.”  Everyone did so without batting an eye.

                As we approached the exit for Sweetwater Park in the pouring rain, Sara said from the driver’s seat, “You know, this may have been a good day to do something indoors, like use those free movie passes.” 

I looked over and said, “Sara.  We.  Are planners.”  Indeed, we have a house full of people who love plans.  It had not quite occurred to anyone that we might change the plans for the day. 

                We were 20 minutes from home at this point, so we decided to drive into the park and assess from there.  It was certainly not too late to make our way to the movie theater. 

                We pulled up and decided the rain was light enough to go in to the Interpretive Center.  We checked out exhibits of taxidermied animals, sustainable building practices, and history of the mill. 

                And then we checked in with each other - to continue with our adventure or head home?  John, who needs to take special care with his knees, gave a green light.  Terry was, without surprise, a “go” for “going” – especially outdoors.  Sara would hike on any day, rain or shine.  And I was ready and willing to see how far the trail and our energies would take us.  So we continued with Sara as our guide, John our pacesetter, myself the songleader, and Terry protectively rounding out the rear. 

                We made our way, noticing trees and plants, singing songs, and getting wet.  We arrived at a curve in the trail with a big body of water, paused to take in the view, and kept walking.  Soon, John said “I’m ready to turn around.”  So we promptly made a 180 and headed back.

               As our little house of 6 people continues to live the journey of daily life together, we are becoming a community.  We are learning about ourselves, one another, and how to go about all of this – together.  And we’re growing as we courageously follow these learnings.  Our adventure at Sweetwater Park revealed to me with gentle humor, both the courage and the attentiveness it takes for us to move forward on this journey.