Natalie Whatley

At the beginning of this year, I set out on a mission to locate the parts of me that became dormant as I traveled back through early childhood with my children.  Each day, I nudge my three fledglings out of the nest and remain “on call” should there be any in-flight problems. They rarely need me during the weekdays, so I’ve had some time to work on “getting a life” and making some changes to some fairly long-standing routines.

Starting a personal campaign for change during a high stakes national-election year was not at all good timing on my part. I must first confess to being a political junkie. It’s a piece of genetic code I’m sure some close to me wish hadn’t crossed the cell wall. Even worse, legal training has taught me to poke holes to the point of irritating even myself. Recent local and national politics has been more than enough to keep my mind occupied.  In essence, I’m far too distracted by all the external stimuli, and can’t get focused on my own agenda.  

Nationally, we have the war on terrorism, immigration, energy woes, and healthcare weighing on our collective minds as we move to elect a new leader. The polarization over solutions to those colossal problems has been astounding.  I’ve watched the primaries in utter amazement as stalwarts on both sides of the aisle crossed over to vote against the candidate viewed as the more formidable opponent. I’ve not seen anything like it in my voting tenure.

Locally, our new city manager and sitting council members are aggressively pursuing much-needed change. There’s angst over garage sales, crime, the hunt for a new police chief, Texas Avenue, upcoming city council elections, possible barge terminal,  and thrown on top for good measure: Goose Creek CISD’s  opening of a third high school. We can at least be thankful the rezoning process is complete – I’m afraid that would have been the coup de grâce. Looking at the reactions, Baytown is a textbook case in resistance to change.

Within my own walls, I have a teen getting through his first year of high school, and learning to drive; a fifth grader leaving elementary in mere weeks; and a little girl stressing over taking the TAKS test for the first time. The teenager flips back and forth between being an adult and a child; I never quite know which one I’m dealing with, and I’m starting to see symptoms of spring fever in all three. Then there’s me fumbling around in a stupor searching for a long lost alter ego. It‘s difficult to motivate others in maintaining focus, when I’ve been unable to do it myself lately.

Russian writer, and author of War and Peace, Leo Tolstoy said, “True life is lived when tiny changes occur.”  That explains my inability to hone in on what I’m looking for, and points to why I’m feeling so overwhelmed. Too many big things are up in the air and the winds of change are gusty.

I think I’ll borrow my son’s kite and head outside. “Kites rise highest against the wind, not with it.” ~Winston Churchill

© 2008 Natalie Whatley

Tags: life changes, politics