WHEN THINGS DON'T GO AS PLANNED

An athlete who is injured and can no longer play his chosen sport. An individual who has been employed with the same company for numerous years is overlooked for a promotion. An engaged couple break up and call off their wedding. Who hasn't experienced disappointment, frustration, and heartbreak when goals are not achieved, arrangements must be altered, invitations are rescinded, or long held ideals are not to be. I suspect that many parents want the best for their children and try to raise them accordingly. They want them to have a college degree, have successful careers, find love, get married, and have children, usually in that order, but many parents must overcome their disappointment when their children choose to follow a different path.

How do you convey the news of what should be a great event; something that would produce overwhelming excitement and an enormous smile? The best way for me would be to mention it in writing so in my last blog I casually threw in an interesting tidbit--"visiting my grandson for the first time"--to see who would catch it and had expected it to elicit a few comments. But nope. Nothing. Nada. Maybe you were too embarrassed to do so or were at a loss for words. Steve, however, did say something to me Sunday morning, so I felt it necessary to come up with an appropriate introduction to my news.

My grandson's name is Deagan. He is so cute, adorable, cuddly, and you could just squeeze him to death but not as docile as I had hoped. So with consent of the father, here is a picture of my gorgeous grandson.








I thought this would be funny and a couple of my friends agreed. Mom...didn't find it amusing whatsoever. What can I say? When things don't go as planned--this little joke of mine certainly fell flat on its face.