If you had to choose one word to describe your life, what would it be? Take a minute. Concentrate. Close your eyes if that would help. Any word you choose at first glance is neutral. Words are like that. Once you start adding in the “why’s” or descriptive background, then your choice can become positive or negative, or remain neutral.

My preferred word is CHANGE. It came instantly to the front of my mind. No thinking. No difficulty. No list of selections. Nope, it’s CHANGE.

So much of my life has changed. If I were to pick the “why” behind that word it would be that so much of my life is new. We moved to a new city because Jim has a new job. We bought a new house in a new neighborhood. The view out of windows, front and back, is new. No longer on a dead-end street, but on a busy street with traffic flowing back and forth. Actually, it’s only busy twice a day: when people leave for and return from work. The sidewalks are always bustling with people taking walks or jogs; walking dogs; pushing strollers; heading to and from the park nearby; teenagers wandering; bicycles and scooters ridden by children who always seem to be in a hurry. Of course our neighbors are all different.

Our family dynamic is different. We are officially “empty nesters.” I don’t feel anything like a bird, however. 😊 We I own a new dog. In Jim’s view, he tolerates him and adores me. So, he’s my dog. In case some of you didn’t know, this blog is completely dissimilar to my former blog in subject matter. I am making new friends. We attend a new church both in location to our home and in denomination. We sold my electric Nissan and bought a Toyota hybrid. One was red and one is blue. We root for a whole new baseball team: not a professional team and we know Erik the Peanut Guy personally!

CHANGE. I would have to say that CHANGE describes my life because I now view life as an adventure. I’m talking to new people wherever I meet them: at church, at the park, at the grocery store, or at any store, really. I’m going new places. Perhaps I should amend that. I’m driving new places. I have just made plans to meet a friend in the Dalles, which is over a two-hour drive from here! I have attended my very first women’s retreat. I am trying out new recipes and eating new types of food: spicy foods. This person (me) who got seasick standing on a dock has been on two cruises so far. I bought a new style of glasses and had my hair cut in an unusual way. Yup, that requires new makeup and new clothes. So very many changes.

Some parts of my life remain unchanged. Faith in God and the Bible. Family will always be family whether we live under the same roof or not and of course will expand to include those special ones our children choose as their lives change. The new view from my windows still includes God’s incredible creation. New friendships are simply added to our circle of friendships of life. Our smaller house is comfortably full of a blend of new and old: photographs, paintings, memories, antiques and more. We are surrounded by what is most important to us.

CHANGE. Yes, that word best describes my life. Yet my life is like our house, a comfortable blend of old and new. The excitement of becoming a person with a broader level of activities; someone who is capable of starting and maintaining new relationships; somebody who is healthier in so many ways than ever before. My creativity still exists: again expanding toward new horizons.

Tell me, what is the best word to describe YOU?