Change I Can Live With
by Debra DuPree Williams @DDuPreeWilliams
I don’t like change. Period. And what is life but one change followed by another and then another. Nothing ever stays the same.
When I was in college I took a psychology class in which we were given a test to determine certain aspects of our personalities. Don’t ask me what the test was called because that was a lifetime ago. But I do remember that on one question about change, I ranked in the ninety-nine percent of those who hate change. I could have told them that without the benefit of the test.
I’ve had a lot of changes in my life in the past four or five years. Some of the changes were by choice, but some were not. My husband and I are about to experience another pretty big change in our lives. We are moving for the fourth time in less than five years. That’s a lot of moving─ especially for people our age. I’m trying to look on the bright side and adjust to the change.
I know I will be happy with this move as we are going back to the mountains of western North Carolina. We love it up there, except for the cold of winter. I’m not very fond of that. One change I don’t mind is winter’s end and spring’s beginning. Even the weather down here in Florida has been a bit too cold for me this winter.
Perks
One of the perks of this move will be that rather than a two-day drive to see our granddaughters, we will have only an eight-hour drive. Now that’s a change I can embrace.
Another perk is getting to spend spring watching the rhododendron blooming along the Blue Ridge Parkway. The last time we lived up there, we drove up to Roan Mountain in Tennessee to see the rhododendron at their finest during the festival there. It was a sight to behold. All that color covering the mountains.
And there’s nothing quite like fall in the mountains. The leaves put on such a show that people come from every corner of the globe to see them. I’m rendered speechless by the magnitude of God’s artistic abilities. If you’ve never spent a fall in the mountains, do yourself a favor and plan that trip now. Hotels will be full, so plan early. If you are family or friend, make your reservations at our home now, too. We’d love to have you, but we need to know you’re coming.
I started this post saying I don’t like change. That’s true, I really don’t. If I could have kept my little boys just that, I’d be over the moon. But then, little boys are supposed to become men and each of mine has done that. For that, I am thankful.
Just a Part of Life
Change is just a part of life. It’s how we learn and how we grow. Writing this post has helped me realize that it is through change that I have become the person I am today. I was blessed with the best parents I could have asked for. They were there guiding me as I changed from little girl to woman, to wife.
And my husband and I changed together as we went from the couple we were to the parents of our four sons. We changed as each of them left our nest for the world beyond the safety of our home. We changed as they married and brought daughters into our lives. We changed when one marriage ended and our hearts were broken for them and for us.
We changed when each of our granddaughters joined our family. Let me add that we had to change big time for that as we knew nothing about little girls. But boy oh boy! were we thrilled to finally have little girls. A most-welcome change.
At the end of this month we will walk hand-in-hand into our new home with all the changes that will bring. This change will bring with it opportunity for new friends, a new church family, new experiences.
Change isn’t easy for me, but I know that I’ll have my husband by my side and we will have our faith to get us through any rough spots we may encounter. I think I’ll just consider this a time to grow. That’s change I can live with and I need to remember Ecclesiastes 3:1-8.
How do you deal with change? Are you as challenged as I’ve always been? Share your experiences with us below.
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Hi, I’m Debra
Jesus Follower, wife, BoyMom, DD, author, blogger, musician, southern cook, amateur genealogist, amateur artist, living life with an accent on Southern.
The Conversation
With twenty years as a Navy family, we moved often! We sometimes didn't like the 'idea' of change, but always loved the adventure once we got the process going! Thanks for sharing, and blessings on your move!!