Reacting to Change


One of my favorite family snapshots sits framed on our mantle. It’s from the summer of 2008. Following Katey’s High School Graduation, our family traveled to New York City. For a week we did all the typical tourist stuff. We had a great time enjoying the sights and sounds of the city. The picture in question is a posed shot of our family enjoying brunch at the famed Tavern on the Green. If you’ve been following the news from the city, you might already know the Tavern’s lease is about to expire. Unfortunately, it will not be renewed and the restaurant will close the end of December. That saddens me a bit. The food, the setting, and the novelty will be but a memory by 2010. It’s hard to believe a New York City or Central Park without a Tavern on the Green. While I may not like the closing of this iconic restaurant (I did sign the petition), I must accept it. I don’t know what the future holds for that location, I can only hope a new and innovative experience will unfold in the days ahead.

When I think about the closing of Tavern, I’m reminded about the dynamic of change. I may not like it or even agree with it, but it is inevitable. Change happens whether I like it, accept it, or embrace it. My personal battle is how I adapt and thrive in change. It’s what I choose to do with change that makes the difference for me. I can lament and mourn the change or I can choose to appreciate the memory and build upon the experience of the past that will help me create an outstanding future. As memory makers change, it is an opportunity to create new and formative experiences. Being proactive in change is my goal. I don’t want to be a victim of change, but an embracer and a facilitator of purposeful change.

One thought on “Reacting to Change

  1. Gloria

    Oh,change. If anyone would have ever told me we would move from our home in Elkhart to a retirement community in Goshen I would have said “never”. The other fact in moving to the retirement community is that it is Mennonite!! Another “never”. God is in charge of our lives and knows what is coming to us. I did question at first the why of it. Now, I know. Since Dale’s death I could not be in a better place. I’m not always happy, however, no one is always happy. I am where I need to be. I can do what I want. I don’t have to worry about any repairs or shovel snow. We have a lot of support here. The staff is wonderful. I can volunteer anytime and I do a lot of that. One thing about the Mennonites they volunteer like I have never seen before. They really embed it in their youth. I think all of our churches could take a lesson from them on that one. Yes, change is hard to accept at times. We all must move on and I know God has his hand in all of it.

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