We have such a strange relationship with change. Leaving our mother’s womb was probably the biggest change of our earthly lives, but we don’t have a memory of it. Did we feel some terror upon leaving the security of that miraculous abode?
Now, we leave her again to get on this large, long, yellow vehicle with words on the side. Transported to another place with other children, we are now commanded to stand in a line, single file, please. Order, please. Don’t speak unless you’re asked to do so, please. But, wait, there’s some pleasure in this very strict new place. Holding new worlds in my hands-those interesting things called letters transform from being just S—E—E—-to a word! I recognize this word from people’s voices but now it’s on a page and it all comes together. “See Jane run”. MAGIC! This new life has some treasures.
That first year ends-so odd how one day it’s my everyday world and then, the next day I’m home again. Three months of heat, outdoor play, climbing trees and puppies and kittens come, grow and go. Over and over, the strange cycle of calendar pages flipping by. Every single beginning and ending of those pages-I feel it-that strange feeling that change is always going to be present. Sometimes it is very painful, unpleasant and unwelcome. I’m putting on the mental brakes-NO! I don’t want this friendship to be in the past. Please don’t let this music ever stop. Where did that group go? We were all so close! How could life do this to us? It was so wonderful-it just isn’t fair!
My young, beautiful, thin body-where did it go?? The midnight pizza and brownie making with my best friends! How could such fun and carefree nights just disappear? Where do those hours go? Sunrise came again and again as did the sunsets in all their glory. I savored those orange, pink and gold skies from the top of my house! I didn’t ignore them or take them for granted! Why didn’t they last longer?
Oh, and the wonderful people who loved me. I knew they were older than me because they were my grandparents. But life was always there, they were always there! No! Why did they have to go? I don’t like change! There’s a hole in my heart now because of these changes. It keeps happening again and again! Abruptly-boom! What life was yesterday is no longer here today!
Fast forward-a million changes since then! Motherhood-my whole focus and energy from one day to never ending days of love. The meals, diapers, good night tuck-ins with kisses and hugs, dancing and singing, homework, carpool, every kind of activity-oh no! It’s happening again! Change, change, change and then-Whoosh! They’re gone! QUIET-so quiet! It was like a bullet train that I thought was a slow-moving train while I was actually on it. Over-it’s done…. the daily care and busy comings and goings. So very strange. Now my body is slower and my hair is white. Who is this person in the mirror?
Then the rain came tonight after the very long, hot summer. Refreshing, nourishing change. This change flows over me and fills me with some kind of reverie. The dark night will change into a glorious sunrise in the morning. Change, change, change-but the rain came and reminded me there is hope in this change. Truth shines through the darkness. Hope rises above the despair. Sparkling dewdrops replace empty shadows of night. Radiant light spreads over the black, empty sky. Here they come-birds in flight-clouds so pure and bright.
Soft, gentle breeze swaying the trees. All the changes brought me here. More will come…. and I will remember, Life is never done.
I will go on and on and on -growing with each and every one.
Becky Hull
Treasures Along the Way 
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