“Of mice and men” has its origin in the poem To A Mouse by Robert Burns and was used as a novel title by John Steinbeck. In short, both Burns and Steinbeck conveyed the message of the unpredictability of life, regardless of how well we prepare. Each of us has found ourselves in these unforeseen circumstances:

As a child: “Daddy and I are taking you to the zoo next Sunday.” Friday morning when I awoke, I was covered with chicken pox.

As a teenager: “So, you will go to the prom with me!” Of course, I was so excited when he asked. I had a dress, I ordered his boutonnniere, and made a hair appointment. When I got up on Saturday morning, my mom informed me that my date’s mother had called her and said her son was unable to go to the Prom that night. Why? Something about violating a family rule. To this day, I don’t know what he did; he never spoke to me again.

As an adult: I could probably write a novel about the numerous times life happened and plans were changed. Once I was having a dinner party, but when I awoke that morning, my refrigerator was dead. No repair folk were available for several days; party postponed. Another time the pocket door of my bathroom slid off its rail. I couldn’t open the door to get my hair dryer, curling iron, makeup, and other necessaries, so I had to skip the monthly school board meeting.

Then, I entered the septuagenarian age, AKA old age. The age when everything is unpredictable. The age when my plans are no longer set in stone. The age of: I’ll be there, the Lord willing and the creek don’t rise. I sincerely appreciate all the invitations I get, and please know that unless s#*t happens, I will be there!