Ch-Ch-Changes

If there is one thing I know to teach my kids, it is to expect changes in life. Just as you think you have it all figured out, it will change. Expect it. Get ready for it.

Og Mandino once said, "Prepare for darkness while you are traveling in sunshine." I didn't really like that when I first read it. I mean, how pessimistic can you get? And then, over the years, while my own life was changing, I started to understand it.

One of my favorite quotes from a movie is, "Life is like a roller coaster. You have your highs, and then you have your lows. Up and down, Up and down."

This sounds perfectly reasonable to some people. But it just hurts my soul when I hear of people that give up, even take their own lives. Their life must feel awful at the time. but it would have gotten better. I was pretty miserable in high school. Now I love my life.

I still have problems to deal with, most people do. However, I have family and love in my life. When I look at colorful flowers, or the sky, or the ocean, or a baby, I feel great joy.

When I was younger, I loved buying swim suits. Now - not so much. My youngest son used to love hunting for lizards and playing with bugs. He doesn't at all anymore. One of my sons had crooked teeth, then he had braces. Now he has straight teeth.

When I was in the fourth grade, we had to move and I had to change schools. I went from a brand new, updated school, to a school that was about to celebrate it's 100th anniversary. Life can be so dramatic at that age. I thought I was going to die. I gave my parents a very hard time. I was determined not to like anybody at the horrible old school.

And then I met the best friend of my life. Lisa lives in New Mexico now, I live in Texas. We still call, e-mail, text and face book each other frequently. We even get to see each other sometimes. Talk about changes!

My point is, be ready for changes, for they will happen. To you and everyone else you know. Learn to expect them and enjoy them. Some of the things I dreaded most in my life, have made me the happiest. Be open and ready. Enjoy the roller coaster!