Carefully consider the path for your feet, and all your ways will be established. 

Proverbs 4:26 (HCSB)

There was no reason to think last Tuesday would be any different from the day I had planned. Christmas was just around the corner and the month had been filled with choir concerts, neighborhood parties, and getting presents ready, wrapped and shipped. We decided last year that we would fly to CA rather than drive and I had found tickets early at a good price. Only one last fun event before the final countdown.

It was unusually warm for a Tucson December day.  A few girls were coming for a late afternoon tea and sitting outside seemed like the perfect place to chat. We enjoyed our conversation, Christmas tea, and a bite of Yule Log. But, the sun was sinking and everyone needed to return home. Hugs, happy wishes for a Merry Christmas, and waves as they headed to their cars.

I returned to clean up the dishes. Parker lead the way, always looking for any stray crumbs. I took a couple of steps onto the patio, when I bobbled over an uneven paver and in an attempt to right myself and not fall, I leaned one way and my right foot, the other. I heard the crunch. The pain spiked through and I called for Mark to bring me a bag of ice. Half an hour later, we headed to Urgent Care. Was it broken or just a severe strain? I sure hoped and prayed it was just a strain.

I was the last patient of the day and ex rays showed fractures in two places. The nurse arrived with the fashion-forward black boot to stabilize it, a copy of the ex rays, and instructions to see an orthopedist as soon as possible.

I sat in the car while Mark picked up some pain meds. My heart was breaking with disappointment. Not only were we planning the trip to see the grandgirlies for Christmas, but a week later, we were headed on a cruise for our tenth anniversary.

I called my daughter and we both cried over the phone. All those wonderful plans were dashed in an instant. What were we going to do?

Mel texted a few minutes later that they would rearrange things and drive to Arizona for Christmas. Relief, joy, hope.

But the foot? I know that God was nudging me because I remembered that a neighbor had been suffering from foot issues for years. Surely, she would know a good orthopedist. By the time the phone call ended, I had the name of the doctor and the offer of a walker, wheelchair, shower stool, bed wedge, and hints for how to make this all work. We were set. The plans had changed but God was in control. I still wondered whether surgery or a cast was in my future — neither option appealing.

We were both up early and when I called the doctor at 8 AM, the only appointment of the day was at 8:50 AM and I took it. After looking at the ex rays and my foot, the doctor said it would heal fine but I had to continue with the boot and could not put any weight on it for 6-8 weeks.

Again — relief, hope, joy.

Plans changed. No trip to California. No cruise. But some new Christmas memories will be made.

Life in a wheelchair is a different experience and I’ll be sharing more in the days to come.

The baby Jesus arrived on that starry night to bring us HOPE. Even if our plans get turned upside down, that HOPE will never leave us. The King was born that night. He is in control.