I Am A Planner - Establishing a Lifeline

My latest knitting project is a cardigan sweater, called the February Lady Sweater, that I am knitting for my mother. It will be a gift for her on her 95th birthday in August...if I complete it!  Two nights ago I was knitting as I watched "Bones" on TV and I became so engrossed in the story that I made a mistake and ended up with stitches dropped. Normally this would not be a problem, but this sweater has an intricate pattern that results in a lacy design.  I had to rip out rows and rows of work and spent about half an hour on my knees on the floor trying to carefully recapture each stitch within the pattern.  I asked myself..."Why did I not create a "Lifeline."

A typical definition for a lifeline is a support mechanism that enables people to survive or to continue doing something.  Sailors toss out a lifeline to someone who has gone overboard.  Others consider a lifeline something that is an insurance to help mitigate in an emergency.  For a knitter, a lifeline is a temporary thread of scrap yarn (some knitters even use dental floss) inserted with a needle through a row of stitches.  If you make a mistake, or have some other knitting calamity, you can rip out the rows down to the lifeline and easily place the stitches held by the lifeline on to a knitting needle. And the knitting can proceed with a minimum amount of distress.

Needless to say, after rescuing my work, I immediately added a lifeline...kind of like locking the barn after the horse got out.

But it caused me to think about other aspects of my life and question, "Do I have other lifelines in place?"

Here are the lifelines I have established:

I have a surplus of canned food items (thank you Costco) in the garage and vegetables growing in the garden  should there be an emergency and we could not get food from a store.

I have a large backpack prepared with emergency preparedness items stashed in the trunk of my car should there be an earthquake or fire.

I have an ICE (In Case of Emergency) number entered into my cell phone contacts list should the police or paramedics need to notify someone of an accident.

I have our living trust and insurance documents in a special container along with a letter of instructions for my son, Michael, should anything unforeseen happen to us and he would need to take care of our affairs.

I have a $100 bill hidden away where only I know it is should I need some fast money.

I have a spare key hidden somewhere that only Jay and I know, should we be locked out of our house.

I have all my documents backed up regularly on an external disc should my computer die.

I have a durable power of attorney for health in place should I not be able to make decisions about my health care.

We have long-term care insurance should we need care and not want to be a burden to our family.

I have friendships that I try to nurture should I need a shoulder to cry on.

I have a husband that I try to keep central to my life should I need to share a joy or a sorrow.

Life is in session and unforeseen events will happen.  I know the saying..."Man plans, and God laughs!" but having lifelines in place helps me sleep better at night, knowing that at least I have done what I can to mitigate an emergency...whether it is only a dropped stitch on a knitted garment or a major life event.