The more things change, the more they stay the same - or do they?

I don't know if you like change - I love change. I love the change of seasons. I love changing my furniture around in the room, but my husband doesn't like when I do that. I love changing diapers because then I can try to get a smile or a giggle out of my grandson while I am doing it. I loved changing from mom to nana - best change ever!!! This is not quite the same but I loved hearing my dad jingle his change in his pocket (he never liked the loonies and toonies because that made his change too heavy). One change I detested was the change of life. The people in my life probably didn't enjoy that change very much either :-)

I am embarking on the biggest change of my life in the next few months. I will be retiring. Even typing that word makes me all butterflyey inside. How am I going to adjust? Will I be able to leave the worry behind? Will I be able to sleep past 7 or stay up past 9? Are they going to survive without me? All of the answers to these questions is a big old YES!!

I have worked in literacy for over 33 years. I started in Elliot Lake in a small agency and then moved to the Adult Education Centre. I worked in a portable in Mattawa for Canadore College's upgrading program when I first moved to North Bay. Then I worked at the main campus before coming to The North Bay Literacy Council (then "changed" its name to Literacy Nipissing). I have seen a lot of changes in these 33 years. Here are some of the changes that stand out to me.

1.The name of the ministry who funds us. Ministry of Education, Ontario Training and Adjustment Board, Ministry of Training Colleges and Universities, Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Development, back to Ministry of Training Colleges and Universities and now Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development. I am sure I am missing ones, but I am old - forgive me.

2. Technology has changed - major big time. I don't remember my email address from back then but I think I would have had one. There were limited computers in an office or classroom. We use to print on paper that had holes up the sides. Internet was a privilege. And thankfully, my computer skills have improved over the years. I know way more today because of helpful colleagues and Google :-)

3. My vocabulary has changed. I use words every day that I did not know existed 33 years ago. And I have been called names that I never knew existed.

4. My understanding of the reasons why someone can't read or write have changed. When I first started I thought that people wouldn't be able to read or write because they fooled around in school or just didn't care. Yes, I was one of those people. I sit in amazement when learners tell me the reason their reading or writing isn't the greatest. Some of the experiences that our learners have endured through their lives - well, if I told you, you would think I am lying. Strength, courage, persistence are all words that describe adult literacy learners.

When you learn, you change. Not only have the learners I have worked with changed in their understanding but I have learned so much from them. I am not the same person I was and that has come from the things I have learned. I thought I would write down some of the things that I have learned that have helped change me.

1. AF does not mean "after the fire", it means something totally different and it will get your post kicked off of social media

2. Even though they look the same, marijuana and oregano do not smell the same.

3. If you are recalling a conversation in court, you must say exactly the words you heard to the judge even if it has 4 letters and starts with "F".

4. Putting a "that was easy" button beside computers is just an invitation to steal them.

5. When demonstrating the safety instructions of a beater, don't stick your hand between the beaters and then turn it on.

6. When taking an important call at 4:30 in the morning about your office burning down, make sure the person on the other end knows you are awake and that you won't go back to sleep.

7. When looking at insurance, take into account how much things cost now, not 20 years ago when the insurance policy was first created.

8. Do not chase purse thieves into the woods without the police providing back up.

9. Someone who bakes is a baker but someone who sews in not a sewer.

10. I wouldn't change these past 32+ years for anything :-)

Good things come from change and I know that only great things will come here in the next few years!!