If you are over the age of 10 you have heard this at least a million times in your life, "change is hard" and it is most certainly true.  I have lived through more change than I ever thought possible through the course of the past few years and I am in for even more change given the nature of my recent choices.

Today, I contemplated the seasons and the weather that arrive when change enters the picture.  We experienced the craziest weather today in that the day started with a thunderstorm, quickly followed by sunshine, then clouds, a hail storm and a tornado warning out of the blue, followed up shortly thereafter with sunshine again.  Talk about change - it was insane!

In addition to this changing weather, my oldest child lost his very LAST baby tooth tonight.  Since he lost the FIRST baby tooth, the loss of a tooth has not had such a profound effect on me. 

He is changing.  He is changing right before my very eyes.  He is changing into the young man that I am proud to call my son.  He is changing into his own person, separate from me. But it is not by chance that he is such a great kid.  He is no longer the little boy who needs my help with everything, he simply needs gentle guidance to make wise choices and do the right things.  My role as a parent is changing into something wonderful, yet also very unfamiliar and that can be scary. 

I began to think about this tonight as I sit in the dark, working on a few late night projects for work (when I should be sleeping) but don't judge me, I know you do it too. 

I realized that when the world around you turns, the changes you see and experience can be difficult to comprehend and sometimes are even frightening.  However, the changes can very well be the beginning of a whole new chapter for you.

So embrace the change.  Embrace the unknown.  Look for the adventure and the fun in this crazy messed-up life and try to laugh in the face of fear and say...I will not fear the storm clouds or the new season or the soon to be teenager, but will look for the silver lining in the newness of this life.

Here's to embracing the change and not living just by chance!