A Different

The party has been different than what I expected.

And certainly the menu is far more varied

I anticipated the selection would include a sampling of what I had enjoyed early in life, when the abundance of family seemed to reach the level of saturation

In those days adventure was relatively unknown and familiarity the norm rather than an exception.

I had learned conformity and knew little about questioning.

It was not a respected trait in my early environment.

Yet my book of life is quite different and I am both amazed and thrilled at what happened as the chapters enfolded.

One of the last in the back of the book, is sprinkled with tears, but that had to be expected in everyone’s volume of life.

I was blessed to ride on a unexpected rollercoaster of joy, humor, and to a degree, challenge that I could not in my wildest dreams anticipate.

And so now at the proverbial last stop when I look around at the horizon I am overwhelmed with gratitude for each junction where I was allowed to pause along this glorious ride.

I don't have the once anticipated table laden with familiar faces and bursts of laughter each Sunday, but I have one stalwart soul who shares the 7th day of each week with a aging woman and never questions her. To my constant amazement he continues to enjoy each visit.

I have an ongoing blessing when three of my Fabulous Four embrace me emotionally driving different vehicles of communication from various locations in this vast world we share.

And I have the consolation of knowing the “lost sheep” I will ever hold with love and pride in my heart is a good man, serving his Master in his own way.

And I am reminded by a small but significant footnote it is not mine to question the why of his choices.

Although the Menu in my book of life has been well beyond the scope of imagination, I am so blessed it differed from the one I expected.