Things
Change, but Stay the Same by Debra H. Goldstein
Recently,
I was thinking about how as much as things change, they stay the same.
For
example, the Stiletto Gang recently welcomed three new members: Kathryn Lane,
Saralyn Richard and Robin Hillyer-Miles. That means, every day of the month, readers
will continue to find an interesting blog to read on The Stiletto Gang.
Last
Thursday, I received edits on one manuscript and galleys on another. Both have
drop dead deadlines. So does a class I’m preparing to teach, a group of
speaking engagements I have scheduled, and lots of family events. My first
instinct was to panic, but then I remembered that if I do one thing at a time,
they all will get done. It’s just a matter of starting and doing rather than
giving in to that moment when I was overwhelmed. The reality is, I’ll get
everything done – and hopefully, at the quality level I want.
Today,
I opened an e-mail. It was the schedule of my youngest grandchild’s school year
for 2020-2021. Why did I get it? Because I’m a mom and a grandmother and my
daughter and her husband want me to know the dates they may need a little babysitting
help. Last week one of our other children called to ask for our Verizon code.
It seems he needed a new phone and because he’s still on my account, he needed
access. He paid for his own phone, but he wants to stay on my family plan because
it is a lot cheaper than if he headed his own phone plan. What do both these
things say to me – they may be grown up, but they still need me the same way
they did when they were toddlers.
I have
a birthday coming up. For that event, there will be many dinners and lunches
with various groups of friends. One will be bittersweet because it will be the
first one missing a friend – the youngest in that group. We’ll raise a glass in
her memory, and then we’ll laugh and cut-up because we’ll still be there
together supporting and, if I can say it, loving each other.
My
husband and I are thinking of downsizing again. After twenty-three years in our
first house, we downsized fifteen years ago. We never looked back. The idea of
going into something smaller, but on one floor, is daunting, but I bet once we
find the right house and get settled, it will feel like we always lived there.
My
writing is like that – ideas come; ideas go, but the beat goes on. That’s what
it’s all about, isn’t it?
Thanks for the mention. I appreciate the idea of this piece more and more. Whatever changes are thrown or planned in our paths, we need to accept them and move forward with resilience and, should I say, optimism. Thanks for this timely piece of writing.
ReplyDeleteDebra, great post. I enjoy reading your work. I'm learning from the masters, like you. Thank you for reminding me the importance of family and having a life.
ReplyDeleteGreat post and very true indeed, writing is like that! Thank you for sharing. Maria Cox
ReplyDeleteDoing one thing at a time - I'm still trying to master this concept!! Thanks for reminding us how to get it all done!
ReplyDelete