Expect the Unexpected

Here's my Illustration essay I wrote to share with seniors:)  I think it is SO important to write along with our students!

           “Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass.  It’s about learning to dance in the rain” (Author unknown).  This quote sums up both the hardest and most valuable lesson I have learned in my life.  Ever since I was a little girl, I have been a planner.  That is the nice way of saying that I am a control freak.  I make lists.  I research topics until I feel like a walking encyclopedia on a subject.  I ask questions.  However, I have had to learn to adapt.  I have had to learn that I cannot always plan for everything.  Several instances in the past few years have taught me that things do not always go as planned.

            One example of a time in my life where things did not go as expected is when I went on a cruise a few years ago.  One year, my husband’s grandparents decided to take everyone in his family on a cruise to the Caribbean to celebrate their fiftieth wedding anniversary.  Of course, I was extremely excited.  I planned for months—what excursions to take, what activities to do on board, and what to wear.  I made lists of every possible item I might need on my trip and spent hours packing the week before we left.  Then, much to my dismay, my suitcase did not travel by at baggage claim.  We waited by the revolving belt until all bags were out of sight, but, still, it did not arrive.  Despite the fact that airport personnel assured me that my bag would be found and sent to my hotel before our boat departed the next day, my bag was never found.  When I realized late that night that my bag was, in fact, gone for good, I cried and yelled.  Then, I decided I had to get a better attitude.  The next morning, my husband and I went on the fastest shopping spree of my life.  I had to pick out new everything, including dresses and a swimming suit.  For some reason, the experience (along with my attitude check) made me feel more free than I have ever felt before.  I had the most relaxing time on my cruise and learned that sometimes, you just have to deal with a situation and be happy regardless of circumstances.

            Another time where I have had to learn to fly by the seat of my pants, so to speak, is when I became a mother.  Anyone who thinks that everything always goes according to plans does not have small children.  No amount of planning will make an infant (or toddler for that matter) go to sleep when you want them to, get hungry when you want them to, or really do anything at the time that would be most beneficial to you.  As an infant, almost without fail, my daughter would fall asleep when we were getting ready for some big event (and you do NOT wake up a sleeping infant).  She would be hungry the moment we were trying to get out the door.  In addition, she usually threw up on me the moment I had finally gotten to take a shower and put new clothes on.  Parenting taught me that while things may not always go as planned, sometimes it is better that way.  Every day with my daughter might be crazy and hectic, but it is also beautiful and filled with wonder.

            Finally, and probably most surprising, I was diagnosed with breast cancer in December 2011 at only twenty-seven-years-old.  This change in my life was most definitely not planned for, nor expected.  I was healthier than I had ever been before in my life—I had just lost eighty pounds (in a healthy way, not from cancer) after the birth of my daughter, I had just finished nursing my daughter for a year (lots of benefits for Mom, as well as baby), I took vitamins, I ate healthy foods, and I kept all regular doctors’ check-ups.  Then, one Saturday I was playing with my daughter.  She happened to jump on my chest and I happened to put my hand up to catch her in exactly that spot.  I felt the lump and knew it wasn’t normal, although I also knew that it could be from just finishing nursing.  I sent up a prayer to God to let me know if I should take care of it.  I said, “God, you know how I am.  I’m a worrier.  If it’s nothing, please let me forget about it.  If it’s something, please let it bug the crap out of me.”  Well, on Monday, that lump was still bothering me.  My doctor, thankfully, took me seriously and ordered tests right away.  Later, after tests and an excisional biopsy, I found out that I had stage 1 breast cancer.  Although this was by far the worst and most unexpected event in my life, it has also been one full of blessings.  I don’t even know that I would change anything.  It has taught me a lot about love, friendship, family, and unfaltering faith. It has taught me strength, courage, and the power of prayer.  It has taught me that things will not always go my way and, while I can’t change that, I can change how I respond to these events. 

            Hugh Downs once said, “A happy person is not a person in a certain set of circumstances, but rather a person with a certain set of attitudes.”  Through many unexpected events in my life, I have had to learn to adjust my attitude and make the best out of any and all situations in life.  I’m still a planner.  I’m still controlling.  I’m still a researcher and a questioner.  However, life has taught me to be prepared for anything, hope for the best, and be happy about whichever happens.