Change in Plans

I had planned to write today about the trip I took last week. If you recall when I wrote about my trip to see the eclipse last year I talked about my original plan that had to be changed. The plan had been to go and see some Minnesota Twins minor league games along with seeing the eclipse. But that changed not too long before the trip and I ended up going to just see the eclipse with the son of some friends.
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This summer I took the baseball portion of the trip from last year. I had thought I would be writing about that trip.
 
However, I find myself needing to write about other things. I returned from my trip on Sunday evening. On Monday morning I found myself looking at my Facebook feed. Where in rapid succession I found out that it was the fifth anniversary of the death of my friend Karen’s husband, my brother-in-law’s thirteen-year-old chocolate lab, Belle, had to be put to sleep and my friend Duane had suddenly passed away.
 
I know that not too long ago this would have been an occasion for me to turn inward and relive my own grief. But, I find myself more concerned for the people who were affected by these events than in how they affected me. That’s progress, I suppose. And that doesn’t mean I was unaffected by these events.
 
I met Karen at a grief support group, and she along with the others in our small group have helped me tremendously.
 
Belle was always a friendly and was there to greet us whenever we visited. She will be missed.

Duane was a shock to me. He always seemed so solid and vital; it’s hard to imagine him suddenly leaving this world. If you’ve been reading this blog for a while you’ve got a connection with Duane. His son Jeran accompanied me to see the eclipse that I wrote about last year. Also, if any of you were ever in Debbie’s classroom at the Waldorf school you’ve probably seen his handiwork. When Debbie was hired as the first-grade teacher in 2005, Duane made a nature table for her. It was a cross section of part of a tree and the three legs were made from thick branches.
 
Please say some prayers for those grieving the passing of loved ones.