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The first thing I thought about as I sat down to write this week’s column was change. I don’t like change and I’m guessing there are a lot of people in my corner.
For as much as I don’t like change, I’m sure there are people who revel in change … look forward to change … need change. That’s not me.
Yet, change is inevitable.
When I was younger, it bothered me when life was moving along without much change except when we lost a family member. That’s the worst king of change.
Moving is another change that is a pain in the neck. The seasonal changes bother me. I’d be happy with spring, summer, fall and then back to spring again.
I’m not very fond of aging. We’re reminded of how we change over the years when we see a photo of ourselves from the past. If you want a bit of a shock, take a look at an old driver’s license photo. It’s your life history in four-year increments.
I had one four-year period when I really changed. I was late getting my photo license done so I had to run to AAA to get the paper work so I could have my photo taken. When I arrived at AAA, the customer service woman asked me for my expired license. When I showed it to her, she looked at me then looked at the license about four times.
Finally, on the last glance of both my face and my license, she just had to ask, “Is this you?” Ugh! Stab me in the back, she did. “Yes, that’s me,” I replied.
In her defense, in the photo, she saw a guy with dark hair, a mustache and eyeglass-free. Standing in front of her was a guy with no mustache, gray hair and glasses. It had not been a good four years.
I’d like to think that since I’ve gone gray, gotten rid of the mustache and now wear glasses, I haven’t changed much but I’d be lying.
I don’t like highway detours and I don’t like roundabouts, either. I can tolerate both, but not a big fan.
Who enjoys changing jobs? Not this guy.
When I was in college, I didn’t like the first few weeks of each semester because of the change of classes and teachers.
Separations and divorce – no matter if it is yourself or someone else, that’s a sad and, at times, awkward change.
Speaking of marriages or even single-family situations – going from a filled home to being an empty nester. I can hear a lot of moms out there saying, “Yes, I hate that.”
How about when a co-worker who sat in the next cubicle, a nearby work bench or on the other end of the phone decides to leave, gets promoted, or worse, gets fired.
Here’s one change for my friend Cathy Fusco — when your favorite TV show has been cancelled. I get a bit miffed when my shows change time slots, let alone get cancelled. I’m not going to be happy at the end of this TV season when the “Big Bang Theory” hangs it up for good. At least they’ll live on in reruns.
Another unfavorable change was when many of the Catholic churches in Greater Pittston closed and consolidated.
It’s awful when your favorite sports player gets traded or a coach gets fired or, worse, a player retires – I hate those changes.
Don’t we all dislike the change when your favorite couch or chair has run its course and you have to get something new to break in? How about those favorite shoes or sneakers that are no longer wearable?
Here’s one for the political climate — when parties change in government. There’s plenty who don’t like that change.
I don’t like seeing gas prices changing for the worse. Come to think of it, I don’t like when anything goes up in price.
Okay, not all change is bad.
Dropping unwanted pounds and going from size 38 pants to a 34 or a dress size from a 10 to a 6 is a great change.
Changing from winter to spring is a welcomed change or flying from a cold NEPA to the beaches of Florida or the hot spot of your choice is a good change.
Getting a new car, going from being single to being a couple, playing a new CD from your favorite band or singer are all great changes.
Receiving a raise in pay or changing jobs for better opportunities are both nice changes.
There’s nothing like a new hairstyle or haircut.
Perhaps remodeling your home or something as simple as getting new carpets is a welcomed change.
Having children is a great change.
Buying a vacation home is a welcomed change.
I know I’ve missed a bunch of your favorite changes for the better and for the worse. See how many you can add to the list.
Don’t forget to Paint Pittston Pink
Pay close attention to all the Paint Pittston Pink events coming up over the next week or so with activities that began last night.
It’s another way to show how great people in Greater Pittston really are… Pittston Strong.
Quote of the week
“O God! Put back Thy universe and give me yesterday.” – Henry Arthur Jones, English writer
Thought of the week
“A classic is a book that has never finished saying what it has to say.” – Italo Calvino, Italian writer
Bumper sticker
“Greatness is the dream of youth realized in old age.” – Alfred Victor Vigny, French poet