things do not go as planned

i watched a man bleed to death the other day.

{strangely} 

it wasn't particularly gruesome or even dramatic in the way one might imagine.

everything had been reasonably contained and family was at bedside, holding his hand.

his last moments were humbling:

a medical team having to admit there was nothing more they could do

a family having to acknowledge it was time to say goodbye {we love you}

and a respectful quiet settling into a space that is otherwise bustling.

the patient's wife laid a final kiss on his cheek, squeezed his hand, and stood up

she inhaled deeply, with eyes closed and walked away.

as i escorted her away from the bedside, she very quietly said:

"this is not what we'd planned to do today"

the words were so ordinary and yet, so extraordinary.

 

and so it is with life:death.

we plan our days and nights {often} without regard for the unexpected. 

but the unexpected comes, i have learned; 

it always does.

and it is remarkable to witness how

{in those moments}

people find the strength and courage

to make more plans.