Ode to Change

ode: formal, ceremonious lyric poem that praises a person, place, thing, or idea

Change often comes on tippy toes,
Unannounced, unwelcome.
Some change arrives by thunderclap. Boom!
With only seconds to brace for the lit-up sky.

Other changes I invite: “Please come!”
“Show me, teach me what I do not know.”
If heart and mind are open to instruction,
I am changed, forever transformed.

My apologies. I’m not a poet; I’m altogether too verbose for the form. To be honest, I admit an unfair bias against poetry. Too many overly structured poems with stilted or pompous language in high school English classes, I think. It’s that “ceremonious” style I object to—the style of odes, actually. I prefer down-to-earth, direct prose in which the rare, elegantly phrased metaphor comparing unrelated concepts comes out of nowhere. Whoa! Didn’t expect that!

I haven’t written anything for Substack for a while, taking time for a reset. The title of my Substack is “Subject to Change,” which is meaningful to me. I’ve always respected change, whether welcome or not, as inevitable—I might as well embrace it. Some of my best memories result from unexpected change.

I’m at a crossroads now and look forward to what comes next. I turned in a complete book manuscript last week. When published this fall, it will be my fifth published book in four years. A decade ago, I wasn’t sure I would ever have evne one book published. And here I am. If I hadn’t been willing to learn what I didn’t know, and then to change direction a time or two in the last six or seven years, I wouldn’t be here. Not every attempt succeeded, but no effort was wasted. I’m ready for something new, and I’m taking time to consider the options.

My husband and I will soon embark on a road trip from Texas to the Carolinas. We haven’t done a long-distance driving trip in a few decades. We’ve driven within Texas or between Texas and Oklahoma, where we lived for 30 years, but not cross country by car. The last couple of years we traveled by plane, train, or cruise ship instead. The train ride through the Canadian Rockies and cruise along the Alaskan coast were delightful experiences. This trip will include its own delights, but it will be different. No tour guides. No set itinerary. No money-back guarantees. There will undoubtedly be surprises—some pleasant and others not. Some will force us to change plans.

Speaking of change, the last several weeks at our house have been dominated by cat drama. The dog we’d had for 11 years, Bella, had to be put down several days before Christmas. We’ve missed her dreadfully, and our cat was clearly lonely and bored after Bella was gone. In March, we decided to adopt a second cat. Oscar was an adorable lovebug in the meet-and-greet at the shelter, but he limped noticeably on his right side. The shelter said his intake x-ray was negative and holding his front leg up was probably just a “learned behavior.”

Four days after adopting him, and after a return to the shelter vet, we learned his ulna had been broken. They recommended amputation. This change was NOT on our radar! Second and third opinions concurred with the shelter: four vet visits in seven weeks. (Let me just say, crating Oscar for vet visits is traumatic for all concerned. Powdered gabapentin in tuna to the rescue!) After recently showing videos of Oscar’s rough and tumble play at home to our vet, she agrees we could postpone surgery … for now. One change deferred.

Meanwhile, our older cat—Ollie—is not used to rough and tumble play or being followed around the house by another cat. We’re all adjusting. Ollie’s learning how to stay out of Oscar’s path when he’s wound up; Oscar’s learning when Ollie’s had enough. We’re learning which toys best distract the wild child. Some nights, they chase each other down the hall and back, long after we’re in bed. Some nights they snooze on opposite ends of the sofa all evening, the epitome of a harmonious home.

Ollie (foreground) and Oscar

Adopting a cat was more of a change than I anticipated. While it may not (yet) match what I envisioned at the outset, I’m adapting to a new household order. At least Ollie’s no longer lonely or bored.

What change will I pursue next? This question assumes I have choices, of course. Fate can often be an insufferable bully who cares nothing for my preferences. However, I’m trying to stay open to possibilities and remain confident I’ll learn from whatever form it takes. (Don’t worry. I’m not planning on a new career as a poet.)

What change have you encountered, small or large, that impacted your life? I’d love to hear about it in the comments!