Ch-Ch-Changing

"Change is inevitable. Growth is optional."

Dad was all giddy when I gave him a collection of all the Hee Haw episodes for Father's Day.

While growing up, my siblings and I were subject to old school country music, Hee Haw, and lots of visits with family living in rural farm towns in Iowa.

As a kid, I had a hard time acquiring a taste for Hee Haw, the music, and farm life. But as I grew older and matured, my appreciation for that culture and lifestyle changed.

It's downright funny now, when you look back at all the likes and dislikes you had as a child and discover how much you've changed since then.

As a kid I

Only ate white bread and hated wheat bread (now I hate white bread)

Disliked Country music and Hee Haw (now I love old school country music and one of the most clever, creative tv shows of the 70s)

Didn't like vegetables or salads as a kid (now I love salads and still just certain vegetables, but hey, I'm trying)

Put ketchup on a hot dog as a kid. I know! Lord help me. (only mustard and onion now)

Today, when we look back and reflect on past dislikes and see how much they have reversed course and turned into likes, it is a symbol of growth and something that we should be proud of.

And even when we think we may have reached that peak of "Hey, I'm mature now!" there are still valuable lessons to learn in life.

The last two years of mom's life were rough in her battle with dementia. But the one constant that remained was dad's love and support of mom.

Throughout moms ordeal and before dementia took her clarative speaking away, she always asked dad, "Will you take care of me?"

Of course, dad never hesitated not just through his words but through his actions.

It was an invaluable, priceless love and another lesson for me to have learned through this journey we call life.