sisterhood stories - change

Change is inevitable.  Change is constant.  We can't stop it.

Often it's welcome. Sometimes it's not. 

The changing of the seasons got me thinking about change in the first place.  Here are some of the recent changes in my life.

I love my son, Jaden's, new art of conversation (if you're new here...Jaden has autism and has difficulty with communicating).  He recently sat down at the table and said to my husband, "Dad, what do you want to be for Halloween?"  He proceeded to talk about skeletons and ghost and what he wanted to be.  I was beaming with pride and so happy to hear this complete sentence with a question included.  Definitely a huge milestone for him.

The changes in my two daughter's are more apparent.  Ashley is 13.  She's been more reluctant than most to the changes that come with being a teenager.  But, as of late she is quickly getting there.  She thinks that friends are her whole world, she has a new love for facebook, and she's constantly listening to her music.  Hopefully the teenager attitude doesn't come too quick.

Addison is 6 months old and changing rapidly both physically and cognitively.  She is starting to sit up on her own, rolling over, switching objects between her hands, interacting with her siblings and laughing.  

I welcome each new stage of my children's lives because it is so rewarding to see the growth and progress. But, a large part of me does quietly wish that I could freeze time to more fully savor the sweet experience.

A change that I don't welcome is the aging of my parents.  I'm the youngest of 8 children.  Sometimes I feel like I got the short end of the stick because I'm the youngest and therefore didn't get to spend as much time with them.

My dad was recently diagnosed with cancer and while this is a bad thing a good thing has come out of it...we talk more now.  It's a wake up call.  He won't be here forever.

I can see my mom changing.  I see it in her face, her hands and in her aches and pains.  She recently said, "I'm in the winter of my life, the end."  

This makes me cry.  I wholeheartedly want to stop this change.  I cannot.  I am trying to come to terms with it.  But, I cannot.  Not now.

My mom read this excerpt from the book, The God Academy to me today.  I thought it fit perfectly into this post.

"Allow every event and each new circumstance to wash over you, to come and go as softly as a butterfly resting on the back of your hand. As you walk across life’s bridges, try to resist inspecting every piece of rope, the integrity of every knot, and judging every step you take.  Make a daily practice of trusting the events unfolding before you, and their proper place in the universe of your experience. The bridges of life are not composed of bamboo, or knotted ropes, or steel or anything else susceptible to the corrosive powers of time. We are suspended by a robust latticework of trust and faith interwoven. Enjoy the view, knowing fully that the bridge will hold you." 

This post is part of a collaboration and blog circle of fellow photographers called 'sisterhood stories'.  Each week we will share a part of our lives as they are in that moment.  I am looking forward to this circle of sisters that I am a part of...it is a good change.  One I need right now.  I hope to cultivate friendships and to learn from these amazing women.  I also hope to learn more about myself as I change, evolve and grow.

What changes to you look forward to and which ones do you not?

Do follow the next blog in the circle of stories...Siegrid

xoxo,
Kristi