Preparation

Thursday is our choir rehearsal night. We really need to nail down the cantata for Sunday. Though we have worked on it over the last few weeks including an extra rehearsal, we need to be comfortable in what we are doing. But the weather is not cooperating.



In fact, I had taken the day off to prepare for my trip to Dad's. I have given a lot of thought to what little things he likes, what would be a special treat for him. Every Thanksgiving since I was young, there has been a fruit tray on the sideboard filled with mixed nuts, tangerines, grapes, dates and figs. We kids tried the dates and figs, but didn't find them especially enticing. Dad, though, picked at them constantly. Lately he has avoided them because of his heart diet. Not now an issue of concern, perhaps he would enjoy a taste from his past.



And grape juice - from Wegmans! There is no Wegmans near Mom and Dad's house. He might find that engaging. I wanted to bring him a touch of Christmas too - perhaps a snow globe like the one in my office with nativity figures and a music box. And a digital picture frame with Bible verses, the Lord's Prayer, the 23rd Psalm. Stuff like that.



There was no way I could take care of all that and work the whole day at the Library and the whole night at choir rehearsal and have any energy left to find these little things for Dad. So I took the day off from the library. (My boys suggest I am maturing since I am putting family above work). However, midday, as I was heading out to Target's I suddenly found myself in whiteout conditions. The roads were terrible and a dozen or so vehicles had slid off the road around me. I myself did a 360 at the intersection of Union and Buffalo Road.



I turned around and went home, calling the church and agreeing with the pastor that there was no sense holding the evening rehearsal. We cancelled it. I sat in the living room and pondered how to prepare now, glad that I wouldn't be caught in the bad weather trying to get home from work. I would have to trust God that He would allow me to make the necessary preparations before departure. I leaned back and took a nap, building up my strength for the upcoming trip.



Later that night the weather abated, and Kiel cautiously took me places so I could run my errands. Meantime I had thought of a few more things that might be nice for Dad. All is as ready as possible. I retire, feeling as if I have done all I can. Tomorrow will tell.