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<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal>Time For A Change</P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal> Bonnie Blose</P>
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face=Arial></FONT> </P>
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<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal>Glancing at the clock on the wall
above her desk, Maggie was shocked to discover it was already 1-30 in the
afternoon. “I can’t believe half the day is gone. It seems like all I do any
more is sit at this<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>damn
computer.”<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Maybe I should get a
laptop.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>, Maggie thought. At least
I could take it outside and do some of my work at the picnic table when the
weather is good. </P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal>The morning had begun with the
usual <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>chores. How can one person
spend so much time doing dishes,gathering the laundry together, and preparing a
simple breakfast she wondered. <SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Lingering over a second, <SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>or was it a third cup of coffee, she
checked voice mail and knew the rest of the morning would be spent answering
urgent<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>questions from people in the
office. “it seemed everyone needed<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>something,”<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Maggie muttered.
<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>I don’t even have time for me any
more. </P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal>Maggie remembered how it used to
be. She remembered spending days filled with the joy of a good book. Shaking
herself free from melancholy thoughts which threatened to engulf her, She looked
at the maple tree and realized most of its leaves had already fallen. Somehow,
she had missed the beauty of the changing colors as they turned<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>gold and orange with the approach of
autumn.</P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal>Maggie couldn’t remember the last
time she had walked just for the pleasure of <SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>it. She thought <SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>of the stream just down the road and
remembered <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>the music of the water
as it <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>lapped the rocks as it
flowed around her. <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>She
remembered willow trees, crisp autumn air, and the music of birdsong as she had
<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>walked along. How had she
allowed this quiet beauty to leave? Could she get it back? If she tried, could
she turn off her mind filled with its lists of all she must do. Would nature
accept her<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>with welcoming sights
and sounds? She had to find out. It was time for a change. </P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal>Hurrying to the closet, Maggie
<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>grabbed her coat and headed for the
door. Outside, the<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>world
waited.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>filled with glorious colors
and sounds, Maggie couldn’t wait to become a part of it. </P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal>As she <SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>headed toward the stream, Maggie <SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>passed the houses of neighbors she hadn’t
seen for a long time. How long has it been? she wondered. </P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN> How I have missed talking to <SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> them, </SPAN> Maggie thought.</P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal>When she arrived at the stream,
she <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>saw the rock warm from the sun
and remembered <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>the many hours she
had spent sitting there. Like a good friend, it was still their, waiting for
her. <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Maggie <SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>sat down ready to give her heart, mind,
and soul to the music of nature she had missed so much. </P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal>AS she sat listening to a story
without words, she thought about future plans and of how important it was to
embrace and cherish<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>friends and
<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>nature. As she reveled in the joy
of being alive, she started making plans for a fall picnic with the people she
loved that lived close by. If I am lucky, <SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>we will catch up on the big and little
important things in life. If our luck holds and we make the choice, we will
share nature as its beauty unfolds. </P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal>Walking home in a peaceful state
of mind, she planned the picnic <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>and
thought about all who would come. When our meal is finished, I will suggest a
walk in beauty. If I know them like I think I do, they need what nature has to
offer as much as I do. Maggie smiled as she opened her front door. Life would be
different now. Sometimes, it is truly time for a change.</P>
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