Life is change

I’ve had a yellow star-shaped sticky note on my monitor for some time now, long enough that I normally don’t even notice it. That is until today.

Life is Change.

Believe I copied that from a tweet by @judsonlaipply or maybe his Web site. It struck me then as a thought worth posting. It has a much more positive spin than the old saying that “the Only Constant is Change,” which can be a depressing, overwhelming, stressful thought.

Change can keep things interesting.

Change can keep you on your toes.

Change is the natural progression of life.

There’s change in family roles: from Mommy to Mom to Mother-in-law, from dependent daughter to caretaker. There’s change in work roles: new jobs, new ways to do our jobs, new opportunities. There’s change all around us: even new streetscapes with one less stoplight than we are used to, and no right-turn-on red. (Visit Bluffton to see what’s up with that. It’s really quite nice. Just different.)

Thank goodness in all this craziness there are some constants. Last Sunday Bluffton employees reaching 5-year milestones were honored at the Faculty and Staff Recognition Dinner. Of the 39 people honored, 12 have worked at Bluffton for 20 years or more.

Seven were given the opportunity to reflect on their years at Bluffton: 25-year honorees Tami Forbes (HPER), Marcia Gallant (Marbeck), Jeff Gundy (English) and Gregg Luginbuhl (art); Willis Sommer (fiscal affairs), 30 years; Rick Lichtle (business office), 35 years; and Sue Hardwick (box office), 45 years.

The common-denominator in all their comments: Bluffton is a great place because of the people and the natural beauty of campus. While I cannot speak for the whole of Bluffton’s 110 years, for the time that I’ve been around I would have to agree.

What makes Bluffton a special place? Tami expressed it well, “It’s all about relationships.”

More about faculty/staff recognition...