The man blew into his rolled up hands trying to provide some heat to his finger tips.  Although he was inside his house, the temperature was unusually chilly and his body did not have the circulation of his younger years.  He looked over to his dog sitting at his side and wondered what life used to be like for his dog before they became house mates.

The dog lay, licking his paws to keep busy.  He liked being near the man and seldom left his side.  The two of them were joined like an “old married couple” thought the man.   Then he began to think about the day he met his wife.  The two of them were so young they danced until early into the next morning.  Still full of energy, they talked as the sun rose and the town began to awaken.  “That was a wonderful time,”  he pondered.

Eventually, the two of them married and started a family.  The children produced typical challenges encountered by all new parents.  When they grew older and started to leave the nest the man remembered the sense of anxiety that was similar to when he brought the first baby home from the hospital.   He no longer was worried about how this child might change the life that he and he wife grew accustomed, and whether or not he could provide.  No, now his worry was one of “letting go” and letting the young adults continue to grow.

“I wonder if we’ll see them much anymore.  Hopefully, they will settle close by, so we can get to know our eventual grandchildren,”  he would tell his wife.  The two of them let the children leave the nest attempting to show the excitement that their children had for the event.  However, deep down they all knew their lives were changing.  A change that everyone knows is coming, but nonetheless a change that is sometimes undesired.

After all of the children left the house, the weddings and grandchildren soon followed.  The man and the wife adapted to the change, similar to other major changes that occurred in their lifetimes.   The man would sit with his wife almost every morning to discuss their intentions for the day.  He believed that if they did not do that, the days would go by without them noticing.  They had sold their business years earlier and were fortunate enough to retire without working another job.

One day, the man noticed his wife was sleeping later than usual.  He made a cup of coffee to take to her in the bedroom.  As soon as he walked in, he knew something was wrong.  At the funeral, all of the children and grandchildren came to provide comfort to the man and to mourn the loss of their mother and grandmother.  Everyone knew that day was coming, but no one wanted it to be so soon.

A few days later after the family and friends all departed to return to their lives, the man prepared himself for the “next big change” in his life.  “Honey, I wish I would have gone first.  You are so much better dealing with these things”  he mumbled.   As the days went by the man kept with his routine.  He made less coffee and figured out a breakfast that he could easily prepare.

Every morning, he would continue to sit and drink his coffee and plan his intentions for the day.  He made every attempt to appreciate his life, but to have gratitude for what lay ahead.   “I hope there are no more big changes coming” he would think to himself.

The changes did in fact keep coming, but once again the man adapted, and understood the inevitability of change.  His life has been full of change – some good and some not so good.  He always knew though that living a life of excitement and risk taking is much better than “holing up” and never going anywhere or meeting anyone.

He got involved in his community and met many friends his age.  He often could feel the presence of his long time “soul mate” for he knew that she was there to guide him.  One day, when he was making coffee, he had a towel that fell on top of the toaster.   He knows he heard her voice say, “honey go check your toast”  only to find the towel was in flames.

“Yes, we may be separated in this world, but we’ll always be together in the ‘other’ world” he would say.

Ω

Life is full of change – some big and some small.  Some “good” and some “not so good.”  There is nothing we can do to prevent change in our lives.  No matter how hard we try, the children grow up and leave the nest, our friends and family age and move back “home.”  Life is always changing and we can embrace it, or continue to live in the past.  The choice is yours.

InspiraCard

Live your life with intention, and do not worry about the changes that are coming your way.  Living in the present, and accepting and embracing change that is put your way, will keep you young and keep you engaged in your life.

Written Thu Feb 6, 2014, 7:36 – 7:55 AM MT