Column: Something About Nothing

Forty-plus years ago I sipped a soda and listened to “Sitting On The Dock Of the Bay” by Otis Redding being played on the jukebox at the Wells Teen Center at 136 S. Broadway. I never in my wildest dreams thought that in 2011 I would be sitting in the same spot in the same building hearing the same song being played on the radio.

Forty-plus years ago I was president of the Wells Teen Center, which was housed at 136 S. Broadway. For the last 11 years I have worked at a computer business housed in the same building that brought so many good memories from my teen years.

Each time I walk in the back door I look at the names etched in the brick. The etchings name Brenda plus Kent, Dave, Steve and other names of kids that were members and brought rich memories to my life.

They say that all good things must come to an end. Endings are hard. There have been many endings in my life the last few months. A good friend and neighbor moved away, someone close to me got a divorce, my faithful pooch, Sam, had to go to a new home because of severe allergies and, of course, Oprah ended her show.

All of these endings had an effect on my emotions. I miss my friend. I am very sad about the divorce. I am heartbroken over Sam and Oprah was a way each day to sit back and find a constant in a changing world.

Now my job of 14 years as I know it at 136 S. Broadway is ending. As much as the job is ending it is difficult to also leave the building where during stressful job moments I could remember the laughter and music of my youthful years and friends that are now scattered throughout the world.

The endings have been an adjustment but there is another saying that I am going to hold on to. It is “Every end has a new beginning.”

I will make new friends and keep the good memories of the friend that has left. Sam has a wonderful home, and I can breathe again. Divorce is hard, but I see new beginnings for the people involved. I have more time to acquire a new activity during the hour I watched Oprah. I am starting my own computer repair business call Julie’s along with a customized, all-occasion balloon service and other graphic services.

With all of these endings happening, I almost got mired down in the sadness. I learned that it was important for me to take time to grieve for all of the endings. The lesson I needed to remember was to not get so mired down in my grief that I could not see the joy and excitement of the beginnings.

New beginnings are scary as well as exciting. W. Clement Stone said it well. “So many fail because they don’t get started — they don’t go. They don’t overcome inertia. They don’t begin.”

Life is full of beginnings and endings. It is a journey we should welcome.

Forty-plus years ago I was there at the beginning of the Teen Center. My life with the teen center ended and I went on to enjoy new beginnings with marriage, family, friends and careers. Forty-plus years later I will keep my memories, push through my fear of new beginnings and embrace this quote “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.”

Journey with me and step into your future.

Wells resident Julie Seedorf’s column appears every Monday. Send email to her at thecolumn@bevcomm.net.