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Introduction Text Change.... may we all find a way to accept the changes in our lives and learn to embrace them!!! May we learn to take control of our lives and make the changes necessary to make our journeys successful. And most of all, may we find comfort in knowing that change is really a chance to experience new things and find happiness in hidden areas we had never dreamt of before! My grandfather gave me one of the best pieces of advice. He told me to embrace change and give it a chance because it is going to happen whether we want it to or not and if we accept it maybe we can make it more of what we want it to be. In 2008 I watched a 98 year old man walk around his farm, his pride and lifetime achievement, and say good-bye. I had never seen my grandfather cry until that day. He was always this bigger than life person to me that could do anything and seeing him brake down and cry just tore my heart right out of my chest. My grandfather turned 98 years old on September 11, 2008. He had seen both World Wars, Vietnam, the depression, and more presidents take office than I can name. He had lived through several bouts of cancer and beat it, been at his wife’s side while she battled stomach cancer 3 times and beat it, been at my side when my son was buried, and was always the rock for everyone. On September 13th 2008 we moved him and my grandma off their farm that they have lived on for well over 50 years. You know moving furniture is easy, no matter how heavy it may be, but moving 50 years worth of memories now that is mentally exhausting and heartbreaking! The next day we all got to together to celebrate Grandpa’s birthday. He took me aside at one point and told me that he wasn’t long for this life now but that he had so many memories and experiences and that he had lived such a long and loved life that he could go now knowing his family was taken care of. He talked about stories of things he and I had done over the years from fishing, my horses, me locking him in the fish house, to him teaching me to drive his car when I ran over grandma’s rose bush and he covered for me and said he did it. He had a little stuffed bear with him and he gave it to me. He asked me if I remembered it and I said no. He told me that when I was 4 years old he had had surgery and I brought him that little stuffed bear in the hospital. He had kept it all these years and wanted to make sure that I got it because he said it always made him think of me and now he always wanted it to make me think of him. He then talked about change. He said that in life he learned that accepting change is a must. That we have to make the best of it because even though we may not like the changes, often those very changes bring us some of the most precious gifts we will ever get in our live as well. Don’t be afraid of change, face it head on and make the most of it is what he told me the secret to a full and happy life it. He said don’t stress over things and just do the best that you can because that is all you can do. Pretty simple words yes, but ones to live by! Well 2008 challenged me on changes and I grew as a person. My grandpa died on December 28th, 2008 at the age of 98 years old. We were blessed to have one last Christmas with him before he went home to find peace and comfort. In those final days sitting with my grandpa I reflected a lot on his words “Don’t be afraid of change.” I took a good look at myself, my life, and my goals and realized it was time for some more changes. In 2008 I got into shape physically and now in 2009 it’s time to work on accepting “ME” the way I am. I have made my goal weight, my doctor is extremely happy and says I am in top health, and my BMI is great and now it’s time to work on my perception of myself. My body will never be what it was when I was in my 20’s and before having 5 children and to think otherwise is unrealistic. Now it’s time to remain active, healthy, and maintain my weight while finding my TRUE reflection in the mirror. I still at times see myself as larger set, like I am looking in one of those fun house mirrors, but I know this perception of myself in not accurate. My BMI is better now than when I was slimmer in my 20’s. I definitely eat healthier, take better care of myself, and in all honesty don’t take my health for granted anymore. So instead of looking at my hips and how they are wider or my chest and how it’s larger now I need to see my entire reflection and see how much healthier I truly am. I’ve grown so much on this journey into a better balanced person because this journey does open ones eyes to so many things. I am so pleased with the results I had in 2008 and my growth as a person and in 2009 I intend to keep moving forward, make some changes in my perception of myself, and accept myself for who I am. My grandpa was so right – accepting change is a must! My most recent change was starting a team called Spark Ability!!!!! Nothing can stop a person with the right attitude from achieving their goal! Beginning your journey or been traveling awhile, we can help each other when the trail gets rocky. We have the ABILITY! http://www.sparkpeople.com/myspark/groups_individual.asp?gurl=sparkability To Changes!!!!! For those asking who I quoted when I stated Change.... may we all find a way to accept the changes in our lives and learn to embrace them.... and so on, that was just something I wrote and not a quote. And yes, you may certainly use it if you would like!!!! What a compliment that others would like to use it as a quote from me - I am honored! Thank you!!!!

Remain active, healthy, and maintain my weight while finding my TRUE reflection in the mirror. I still at times see myself as larger set, like I am looking in one of those fun house mirrors, but I know this perception of myself in not accurate.

I am exercising more and am more active. I am also playing more sports with my children such as basketball and strenght training with my 15 year old who has been a great motivator for me!

I live in a quiet rural area in southern Minnesota and enjoy being busy with my five children. I have several horses and enjoy riding.

I enjoy sports of all kinds and have found that I can still be actively involved!

Add a Link Leader - Team Spark Ability!! "If you can imagine it, you can achieve it; if you can dream it, you can become it." - William Arthur Ward Together we have the ABILITY to succeed!!! Let's make 2009 the year of positive changes! <link>www.sparkpeople.com/myspark/groups_individual.asp?gurl=sparkability</link>
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