End of an Era
The leaves are changing here in New England. All you pumpkin spice latte fans are excited about the crisp fall season! But others are sad that summer has officially come to a close. Every few months, we get a chance to welcome a new season— different weather, a switch of our wardrobes, and the traditions that come with Spring, Summer, Fall or Winter. Some love the change. Others find it difficult.
With any change comes a goodbye to the old, and a hello to something new.
The other night as I turned on the TV, the familiar jingle from Wheel of Fortune filled the room. But this time, the announcer's words were anything but routine: “Please welcome your hosts, Ryan Seacrest and Vanna White.” After 41 years and nearly 8,000 episodes, Pat Sajak's retirement marked the end of an era for a show I’ve cherished since childhood. I still remember the thrill of watching contestants solve puzzles and then “shop” for home furnishings in the showroom. They’d choose a new couch, dishwasher, or lamp, while Pat updated the contestant on their remaining budget.
When Ryan and Vanna concluded their first episode together, I turned to my partner Kim, a fellow Wheel aficionado, and asked her thoughts on the new host. “I thought he did great. Different than Pat… It’ll just take some getting used to.”
This feeling of transition resonates deeply with me. Not long ago, I saw on the news that our old indoor mall was set to be demolished. The beloved space of my youth, where my friends and I spent countless Saturdays, was set to be replaced by a new outdoor shopping complex. I reminisced about the tokens spent at the Just Fun arcade, the Sicilian pizza from Luca’s, and the joy of tossing coins into the mall’s fountain while making wishes. I could still smell the popcorn from Karmel Korn. When the wrecking balls arrived and the old mall came down, I thought, “I’m sure the new mall will be great. Just different.” The end of an era again.
Lately, it seems like everyone I talk to is facing their own transitions.
College kids who’ve recently left for school turned many of my friends into empty nesters. This is such a huge adjustment for any parent. The house is quiet. There comes an exciting sense of freedom, while paired with profound sadness. Parents will adjust, of course. We all do. But something is different. The change is real.
Even smaller changes can stir similar feelings. I recently dined at a restaurant with friends, only to discover that their famous Bang Bang Chicken had been removed from the menu. My friend was particularly disappointed, lamenting, “Why take away the Bang Bang Chicken? Everyone loved that dish!” It took him a while to pick a new appetizer. The removal of something as simple as a favorite dish highlights how difficult change can be.
Are you facing change in your life? Maybe it’s a new job, a breakup, or simply a grocery store that’s rearranged its aisles, disrupting your shopping routine. Change, especially when it signifies the end of something familiar, can be challenging.
We currently have two family members receiving hospice care. They are each at the end stages in their remarkable journeys— and both of them have decades of memories, accomplishments, and impact to be proud of. Their eventual passings will mark the end of something special. Lives well-lived, but a profound loss for sure.
Embracing transitions can be painful and sad, but they also offer opportunities to honor the past and create something new.
As we roll into this new fall season, I wanted to share this quote a friend sent me, credited to srwpoetry:
Sometimes we must take
a leaf out of autumn’s book
and let things go.
I think we’re so afraid
of being completely bare
that we forget:
if autumn held onto everything
by the time spring came around
there would be no room
to bloom again.
As we embrace this change of season, there are likely some things we must let go of. Remember it is when we say goodbye to certain things that we then create the space for something new.
Or we can look at it from Pat Sajak’s perspective: Life is like a Wheel of Fortune. It’s up to us to decide how we spin it and how we respond to the changes it brings.
This Month’s Resources & Cool Ideas
His Voice Will Last Forever
This past month, we learned of the passing of James Earl Jones at age 93. In addition to countless movies and voiceovers that will be left as his legacy, he did something very unique. Read here to learn how his legacy will continue forever now that his voice rights have been sold to Artificial Intelligence!
Wheel! Of! Fortune!
To all you Wheel Watchers out there who’ve tuned in for years, you may be interested in learning more about the history of the show, see a photo collection from old episodes, and read Vanna, Pat & even Jim Thornton’s bios by simply clicking here.
Right Place, Right Time
Many of us have had the pleasure of partaking in a Boston Duck Tour over the years. But last month, something very unique happened to one of the amphibious vehicles. While on a routine rescue training session, a real life rescue was necessary. The story ends well— check out this amazing coincidence in timing here.
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