Hello Denver/Lake Norman Rotarians (and those outside off Rotary who may have caught on to our snazzy newsletter),

The Guess Who’s song “No Time” has the lyrics “Seasons change and so do I” has played in my head the past several days.  See last week I had lunch with someone I consider a very dear friend.  The type of friend that I may not get to speak with on the daily, but one I know I can call and she will 1) Bring Lawyers, Guns, and Money.  2) Bring her sometimes brutal but sage wisdom that have shaped me over the past 15 years or so 3) Laugh or Cry with me depending on the stage of life I am in.  (I hope she knows I would do the same.)  She told me that she was leaving the Denver area - my heart dropped.  They are expecting a grandchild in March and so she and her husband must go.  I never thought in all of these years that I would be going through this season of life with my first grandchild on her way - without her here.  I know she is a phone call away but dang it’s not the same as two hour, bottle of wine lunches talking 100 miles per hour to get it all in.  Yes, we can visit each other but life is about to change for both of us and I will miss her.  

Last Wednesday our very own Trudie Crawford Lyon spoke to us about Mental Health and gave us some tips on coping mechanisms that can help one when they are feeling sad, lonely, and anxious.  I will be utilizing some of these in light of the aforementioned season change.  Trudie is like an angel always giving great nuggets of wisdom and, seemingly, always in a timely manner.  Everyone needs a Trudie in their life!

Life is always changing, shifting paths around.  Which makes life interesting for sure. It doesn’t mean that there isn’t a sting that gets you in the heart when it happens.  I guess my point of this message is to hug the people you love.  Share time with those you value.  Change is evident but the emotions that come with it are always a surprise.  Perhaps next week’s song ruminating in my brain will be “Same As it Ever Was” by Talking Heads.

Have a safe, happy, and productive week doing good things!

Andie