Ripples of Change

"Life is one changing scene." This statement was made at convention by Johnny Richards a long time ago, and it has often come to me since. Now that the calender year has changed (Happy New Year, everyone!) I have been thinking about the little changes that are rippling through our family.

Ken turned 60 last September and is getting closer to his retirement-hopeful age of 62. About a year-and-a-half ago, the powdered metal company that he works for was bought out by a holding company, and there have been lots of changes there. Last month they announced that they are closing their plant in Clearfield and merging it into the plant here in Falls Creek. We feel that his job security diminishes every day, but we do not worry about it. We realize that there is a strong possibility for change in our future with his job situation.

Roy, our oldest son, is working for Coca-Cola, and has been part of an auctioneering business on the side. Just recently, there has been a change in that business--the lady auctioneer got married and wants to pursue a few other things in life, so now Roy is looking for auctioneering opportunities.

Todd, our second son, is now an expectant father! He and Sue have two adorable girls, aged 6 and almost 2, and now we are looking for a new grandbaby in August! That change will not be hard at all to accept!

Next comes, Jill, who has been working very hard as a nurse. Leigh has been helping his dad, and they have a dream of having a dairy farm. He has also worked occasionally for Coke, where he worked full-time until Jill started her job. Now his boss there says that he can come back there full-time anytime! Should they do that? How would they manage child care? What shift will they work? Etc., etc.! So many decisions!

Ross, our youngest, is in his second year at Penn State DuBois, working on a degree in business. In the last two semesters, he has gotten a 4.0. His advisors have encouraged him to look into the possibility of going to the main campus of Penn State for more challenging classes towards his degree. He looked into housing over there this past week, and it looks like he will probably be fleeing the nest again come August!

I started with Ken, and will end with me! I am looking forward to a big change in my life--I have gotten a job working as a receptionist for H&R Block in DuBois! It will be a full-time temporary job starting Jan. 26 and lasting for about 4 weeks. I have already had some job training. Their term for the job is "client service coordinator"--pretty fancy, right? I will be answering the phone, making appointments for tax work, checking in people, filing, etc. I am certainly looking forward to it.

After being at home for many years, I have gotten bored, restless, and unchallenged. I have enjoyed my creative pursuits of sewing, weaving, quilting, and lots of other things, but somehow I feel like I was about 125% fulfilled with those things. The last year or so I have felt the need to get out amongst people to interact more. I started volunteer work at the hospital in June and enjoy my time escorting cancer patients for their treatments. I have an application in at the hospital, and was interviewed for a job driving a van to pick up the patients, but I did not get the job.

Ross also works at H&R Block, and told me about the job, and I went in and got to talk to the head man there! A week of so later, he called and offered me the job. I am excited to be getting some "credentials" for future job possibilities.

Every change produces ripples, and change means opportunities for growth.

Tomorrow I will probably write about the first big major change in my life. It was not just a ripple, but more like the tidal wave of a tsunami.......