It fell to me to step up to the plate—to care for her, the household, and all the little things that keep life moving. While this shift is challenging, it has also offered a moment of clarity: how much we take for granted. The sameness and routine of daily life can lull us into a false sense of permanence. When that continuity is disrupted, we are forced to adapt, to go with the flow, and to rediscover flexibility.
Flexibility has been the key for me over the past few days. Plans have been upended, expectations reworked, and tasks rearranged. Yet, amidst this disruption, I’ve been reminded of a profound truth: life’s unexpected turns are best met with openness, not resistance. Clinging too tightly to plans or assumptions about how things should be only leads to frustration.
Gratitude, too, has been a grounding force. Every morning, Jane and I sit in our hot tub and ask each other, “How blessed are we?” Even now, with her pain and the challenges ahead, our answer remains, “We are very blessed.” Gratitude shifts our perspective, reminding us that even in the midst of difficulty, there is much to be thankful for—each other, our home, and the simple joy of sharing life together.
I don’t want to minimize Jane’s pain. It has been considerable. The hospital estimates her recovery will take four to six weeks, meaning this period of adjustment will stretch into the new year. This year’s Thanksgiving, Advent, and Christmas will be different. But perhaps that difference holds an opportunity—to slow down, to embrace the yin and yang of life, and to reflect on what truly matters.
The yin and yang of life—joy and sorrow, routine and disruption, health and illness—remind us of life’s inherent balance. When one part of the cycle dominates, it can feel overwhelming. But this too shall pass. Jane’s arm will heal, routines will return, and life will find a new rhythm. In the meantime, I’m reminded to cherish what we have, even in its imperfect, disrupted state.
As we approach Thanksgiving here in the United States, I wish you all a season of gratitude. May we hold lightly to our plans, embrace flexibility, and give thanks for the unexpected turns that remind us of life’s fragility and beauty.
+Ab. Andy