‘Changes’ by Shane Brown

I had my very first reading of my own stories today at the public library in Oxford; something different for me.

It was special to me for so many reasons. One of my favorite reasons was walking by the plaque outside the building, a tribute to my Dad and honoring his name on its behalf. The library was dedicated to his name about three years ago and there was a ceremony created for it. I spoke that day at its event, but it was for him and not me. The other reasons were seeing smiling faces of family, friends and people I did not know. Today’s difference was seeing someone listen to me; I’m learning to adjust to that. There is a change going on in my life. Something is new to me; I like this change.

Sometimes I get in a rut and get stuck to the same normal things: get up, go to work, and go back. Then, do it all over again. But that’s changed for me in the last several months. I still get up and go to work but in between those things I have changed. My mind is different and I desire needs and a must; it’s a change. I chase it and I dream of it. I work at it and I hide at times from it. But, adjustment is made and I switch things around. Transformation is tried and it’s all different. I’m really starting to like this change.

Heather and I get home to the cabin at Tula today after we have both taken off work from the reading in Oxford. We walk down to the dock to spend some time together. It’s a pretty afternoon and the water is calm. The trees are standing tall above the edge of the pond and its reflection is a painted picture in our eyes. The change in weather in the last few weeks have been a typical Mississippi winter: it can be warm some days or cool or just damn awful cold. But today is pleasant and the wind is not blowing much. It’s quiet on the dock except our thoughts and ideas to each other and of course our laughs. She tells me she has to go home soon and I wish I could change that, but, I can not. She stands up on the side of the dock and looks out across this place that’s so peaceful to me and tells me how much she loves it too. I tell her when spring comes and the leaves start to grow and the serenity changes then we will fish out in the boat and waste the day away; that we can enjoy some warm weather and some time together. She smiles at me and tells me she would love that.

Today was a great day for me. I’m proud of some things I have done in my life and I’m intrigued by a certain thing and things that’s possibly happening in my life. I see a change coming and some other things growing. I know some things will change but I hope some things stay the same.

Shane Brown is a HottyToddy.com contributor and the son of noted author Larry Brown. Shane is an Oxford native with Yocona and Tula roots. Shane is a graduate of Mississippi State University. He has two children — Maddux, age 9, and Rilee, age 7 — and makes his home at “A Place Called Tula.” He can be reached at msushanebrown@yahoo.com.

Copyright Shane Brown, 2015.

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