Change Happens.
Lenten Reflections #20
March 11, 2026
Today, the field was empty on the way home from work when we sat in the line of traffic staring at the overgrown land. Not a horse in sight.
Back then, the roads were lined with more trees than homes, so if my bladder didn’t hold out on a long run, there were always options.
Today, swaths of land are being sold and replaced by neighborhoods that can sit on a Monopoly board (think Mediterranean and Baltic Avenue).
Back then, after the older man plowed his field, he hung a small scrap of wood with the price of a bale of hay painted on it with brick red paint.
Today, the doctor’s offices have coffee in the waiting rooms.
Back then, we’d flip through the Highlights Magazines and Country Living.
Today, our gaze is down.
Back then, we knew the color of each other’s eyes.
Today, we forget to talk, forget to listen.
Back then, we knew each other’s stories.
What I learned:
Today will always change — without asking, without warning, embrace it; it’s going to stink at first.
Keep the “back then” memories in the recesses of our busy, digital minds that seem like they can’t hold one more thing, but try.
Thank you for joining me.
I’m so glad you’re here,
Lucretia
runonmom.com 