Change or Not

 For the most part I do not think people (at least the average person) like change. and some people do not like it at all and actually will not physically or mentally make change.

I was acquainted with one man who was offered a promotion. His answer was “no I am not going to do that, no matter what the consequences are.

Some changes are subtle, almost no change at all, and yet some people feel even a small change in our lives could almost be a catastrophe.

So would you agree some changes are HARD? My family and I lived in five different homes, 2 different states and each different move involved different circumstances that had to be considered at the time we moved. Each one was harder, more decisions to make and more people to come to agreement on what would be new changes for all.

Why do we not like change, or do we? I believe if you would get a family of parents, children and perhaps grandparents together and told them we were going to make a major change in our lives the majority the majority would have a life changing reason why we should not do it right now!

   Wife: How can I live without Jen, She is the best friend I have ever had and you know how hard it is for me to make friends? And you know it is the first Church calling in my live that I have really enjoyed?

   Son: I will run away if Thad does not live near us!

   Dau: I finally LOVE school. And you know how hard it is for me to make     friends? Can I stay here a live with someone?

And you may even have one that says, ”Yes, Yes, Oh Yes, maybe I will be happy if we move.

Of course there are other types of change besides employment and schooling. I also think that in most cases change makes us stronger, in the long term?

Most of us make some type of changes every day. And depending on our age a lot of changes are made for us. Mom usually decides what we eat---and WE EAT IT. At least it was that way in MY DAY. Dad decides if you can take the car out just for a ride? He may change his mind if you have a problem at school.

I recall I once made a change about how I looked—I decided to change how I ate, and how I used my spare time, so I would look better and have more energy. So you might say I made a conscious decision to change my life style, for the better. I however made an UNCONSCIOUS decision to lie on the couch and watch TV. To have a short nap most afternoon’s –and why jog in the dark? Were these both decisions?

So I guess there are many decisions made every day? I also guess we all have to make different decisions everyday which require a change GOOD, BAD or INDIFFERENT. And each of us has to pick and accomplish the change we want.   AND SOMETIMES IT AIN’T EASY. (Yes this spelling mistake is MY decision?)    

Christmas Memories

          CHRISTMAS MEMORIES

                                  

His oldest daughter had just given him a hug, said “Good Night Dad” and headed for her car. She was the last to leave. We were just finishing up our traditional task of “putting up” the annual Christmas Tree.

He could not remember when the family had started putting up the tree on the 7^th of December, which was his Birthday. He only remembered it had been many years ago.

As his daughter closed the door and got in her car he took a big breath and thought to himself, “thank heaven that is over for another year.”

But was he happy?

In just a few minutes he had picked up a few odds and ends, dropped them on the kitchen table and walked down the hall turning off each light, as he passed them. As he walked, the thought came again, am I tired or just excited?” I am not really tired, and I do not have to do anything tomorrow unless I want too.”

A little grin came on his face as he turned around and went back up the hall, turning the lights on as he passed them. A thought came to his mind about Christmas’s past. In fact many thoughts did and before he knew it he had told himself, I do not have to go to bed, I can get a snack, sit in my favorite chair and think and reminisce of past Christmas’s  that we have celebrated in our home.

He sat down and got his rocker going and squeaking, and just as he thought they would, memories started coming. He had turned on the tree lights again and just as he thought they would, the memories and a few sad times popped into his head.

The first thing on the tree that caught his eye was the two Santa ornaments. There were 12 in the package when we bought them back in the 1960’s,  but there were only two left and they were a treasure---If they only could talk? I think they were made out of a material called gilt. He snickered to himself again and thought how, did they survive this long with all the little hands  that had played with them over the years.

On the kitchen cupboard stood Mr. and Mrs. Claus who was crocheted by his Mother in the 1970’s. And yes they also are a family treasure.

He looked at the porcelain Nativity set and a lot of pictures, and thought maybe it was time to go to bed. I would have plenty of time to reminisce between now and Christmas.

He thought about his “Magnificent Seven” his pet name for his seven Great Grand Children. And just an hour ago his old house was rumbling with children’s noises, just as it has in the past. The next thought was,” how could seven little people make THAT MUCH noise?” And the interesting thing was they could pass it on from one generation to the next.

He chuckled again as he recalled the years past when Santa came to our home on Christmas and brought everyone a present. To receive your gift each person had to sit on Santa’s lap and report that they had been good! One year when he sat on Santa’s lap and Santa asked if he had been good, all the children shouted. NO, but as Santa reached for a lump of coal for Grandpa’s  gift his oldest Grandchild yelled He is good, he is always good. And I think she had a tear drop or two fall, as she grabbed the lump of coal and hid it in the basement.   

Oh how many memories and how many good times were held in their home throughout the years and now in his old age they are only memories.

After sitting in his favorite chair and reminisced about his favorite time of year, he slowly got up and walked down the hall----Not with memories of sugar plums dancing in his head---but wishing that his wife (who was the spark-plug of the family) could have been here to celebrate with us.—But then who knows ----PERHAPS SHE WAS?        

WRB 14 Dec 2018