Adapting To Chill

With a contented nod, my last client of the day left, gently closing the door.  A quiet moment to just be. I swiveled in my chair to face the picture window and soaked in the last rays of sun. Its strong beams danced on the heavy foilage—glistening golden, ruby and sienna.  I saw motion overhead as a squirrel scampered over a power line with a huge nut in its teeth.  Then came a flutter as a flock of geese soared over, every beak focused ahead and sure. So much life happening.

Winter is coming. Time to jump in. My mind wandered …home to the living room, dining room and all the bedrooms. To pulling down curtains, washing windows, adding a touch of paint here and there. And vacuuming full throttle, swallowing a feast of dust bunnies. The kitchen floor washed and waxed. To scrutinize every closet, summer attire folded and put away replaced by the winter scarves and sweaters.  Hmm…the seasonal wall painting swapped with winter scenes. Then the endless leaf- raking, gardens pulled up and turned over and outdoor patio furniture stacked and put away in the shed.  

Whew. So many doings before the first flake of snow. I wanted to be ahead so as not to be caught unaware, like that squirrel readying its den with good eats. Behavior not so dissimilar to my last client who had taken a big step forward … to change direction by propelling ambitious thought into positive action.  A vigorous life change that would allow for personal growth and satisfaction.  

This encounter was a reminder of such times in my life. Leaning back into the chair cushion, memories from earlier years flowed. There was a most memorable one.

For many years I was happily employed as a rehabilitation counselor. Each person had their responsibilities and I was challenged to herald resolve and eventual change. Working as part of an efficient team, participants were well-assisted to promote favorable outcomes.

But there was a downside. There was a three-hour backroad commute and my compact car was chocking badly. Many days tarried because of long staff meetings. And there were the blizzards. How to adapt to this situation? Possibility thinking considered relocation and trudging into work with boots. 

I wasn’t sure.

Sometimes you get that one day. One morning, although  missing the clock alarm, I was making decent time to work. Slowing to take a corner turn, my little car began to rock back and forth.

Oh no!!!  My eyes yanked open, my breathing seemed to stop.

I was surrounded by a herd of cows who were pushing my car! What to do? My brain swirled, my hands were cold and sweaty. Hmm… Grab a cell phone… hmm…they hadn’t been invented yet … Honking the horn made them push harder. Perhaps a little prayer might help.  

Suddenly three of them moved away from the hood. Foot to the floor pedal, I was out of there, wanting to be away from them for good.  Provincially, that evening at a local gas station, a gentleman in the car next to me offered a rehab position in another agency. 

Now I was relieved of the commute and began a fresh adventure, leading me to eventually wear the hat of a private therapist. Journeying to become, I gleaned experience through various professional positions and additional coursework. It including many service activities that filled my calendar and mounds of books that filled my brain.

I went where I had to go. Sometimes it was scary, other times demanding, but always prompting me to adapt and embrace change. Then and now.

Tucking into a warm jacket, I wrapped a thick scarf around my neck, and pulled on soft gloves. I turned the key in the lock on the office door as I hoisted my briefcase over my shoulder. Now ready, I stepped into the evening dusk. 

… ‘‘and that’s how I live it.”