Adapting to Change

I need to go on record as saying that change is difficult for me. I enjoy my routines and knowing exactly how things are going to be. It’s the bane of the Garden Gnome’s life that I find it difficult to make decisions about a lot of things, preferring to go along with what everyone else wants to do (or eat). I’m happy to ride the middle road. (Maybe that’s a whole other issue there).
Yet, I’m learning that the only constant is change.

Life has this habit of twisting and turning in ways that you don’t see coming.
I spend my days with beautiful individuals that are dealing with change as they age. They are not only seeing the changes that are occurring with society and technology, they are dealing with changes within themselves. Each day they battle (and it is a battle) with losing their independence and relying more upon others for the little things that they used to be able to handle on their own. Little things that we take for granted; such as walking, opening jars, cutting up food, doing up a seat belt, negotiating steps, driving a car and showering. I regularly hear comments such as “I miss driving my little blue car” or “I hate being like this”.
Part of my role is assisting these wonderful people with adapting to their change and easing the impact that it has upon them which is ironic considering my own avoidance of change.
Yet, I am learning to change my thinking. Change is always occurring – at work and at home. At a moment’s notice everything can go pear shaped.
Take yesterday for example.

It was a routine outing for my group. One that we go on every month. Yet, one of my clients fell ill. Change #1 to the day.
We adapted. I dealt with it and the client went home that afternoon in a more comfortable state.
I continued my routine day. Went into a meeting and was about to go into another meeting when the manager asked me to tidy my desk. I went to my desk, picked up my telephone and noticed 3 missed calls from the Son and the DIL. I called The Son, discovered that all was not right in his world at that particular moment and he required my assistance. Change #2.
I went to pick up my DIL to drive to my son and on the way we hit peak hour traffic…. in the rain…. Change #3.
Calling the Garden Gnome to let him know what was happening, he quickly told me that he was on the way to pick up the Rugrats as my lovely  First Born was assisting my beautiful daughter-of-my-heart and couldn’t get to the school to pick up the kids. The Rugrats were coming home to our place until my daughter was able to leave to come and get them. Change #4
After dealing with city peak hour traffic (can I just say that I love living in the country), I arrived back in town, picked up the Teen from dance and returned home to be met by my Grandson standing in the driveway proudly informing me that now he is at school, he has learned to read. I had time to take off my shoes and then I was settled onto the couch and listening to him read and do his homework. Change #5

Wow! Yet I got through it all and survived in one piece.
Here I sit this morning, ready to face another day.
I will go forth and reassure and assist those facing change in their lives and in doing so learn lessons for dealing with change in my own.
Maybe I am learning to live up to Charles Darwin’s expectations.

Here’s to change and adaptation!