The last week of school before Christmas break, my youngest got the stomach bug. Then the Sunday after they let out for the holiday, my oldest began running fever. He stayed feverish four days, lost energy, and gained a rough cough. The next morning, I planned to get them out and meet with friends. Much to my surprise, my youngest woke up puking and had fever.

We had to cancel our family gathering with my husband’s family and then postpone the meal with my family by a day. Everyone finally went twenty-four hours with no fever and things looked hopeful. Until my youngest woke up the next morning burning up. He was glassy-eyed and slept most of the day, even crawling into my lap, under a blanket. Not what I anticipated.

With them being puny, I’ve had to be ultra flexible. Canceling plans with family and friends. Staying home and being available to the boys. Not going around lots of folks in case I’m a carrier of the sickness.

At times, I’ve felt stuck. Trapped. Frustrated. Other times worried. Concerned. Fearful. But I realized early in the break that I couldn’t change our circumstances. No matter how hard I willed my kids to get well, I couldn’t make them improve any faster.

So, I decided to make the most of it. I’ve been writing and editing. Napping and hanging out with the boys. Resting and baking goodies. We’ve watched a movie together almost every day and enjoyed the extra family time.

This wasn’t the Christmas break I envisioned, but it’s the Christmas break we received. I’ve stopped many times and thanked God for the slower pace, extra rest, and family time, even though it’s not how I would have chosen to have it.

Maybe life has thrown you for a loop too. The direction you are headed or the circumstances you are walking in are not what you would have chosen. No matter how hard you try, some things can’t be changed or undone, they can only be walked through. Find beauty. Find things to be thankful for. Find hope. And above all, make the most of it.