Change

 "Change alone is unchanging."

-Heraclitus

I still remember sitting in philosophy class during my senior year of high school and hearing this phrase for the first time. It has stuck with me all these years because, duh, it's obvious, and it's also quite profound. Needless to say, over the past month this statement has been living rent free in my head.

For the second time in less than two years, I prepared to pick up my life and put roots in a new place. This time though, it was to move to a new country, not a new state. Brought some baggage with me too...

The evening that I landed, Queen Elizabeth II passed away after serving 70 years as the monarch of the Commonwealth. Minutes after her death was announced, bells were rung throughout Cambridge to mark her years as the Crown.  

The next day, I took the train into London. Partly to see some dear friends from CO, and partly to see a nation in mourning. As I got off the Tube at Green Park I was stunned. Police were everywhere to support the crowds as they went to Buckingham Palace in an orderly fashion - something I’d be shocked to see in the states. But the most surprising thing was the number of people going to pay their respects. I walked by people crying and saw folks with flowers or other mementos in their hands. All to lay at the gate of Buckingham Palace. 

              

The following day, I turned 30. Oof - a new decade. I was lucky enough to spend it with a handful of future classmates and even had some dear friends from back home call and wish me a happy birthday!

As a member of Queens' College, I have been able to see first hand the response from one of her patronages...and I can't help but wonder if this patronage will go to the Queen Consort, Camilla, or the new Princess of Wales, Kate. 

There is change happening all over. Nations are coming to terms with the passing of the longest reigning monarch, some deciding if they want to remain in the Commonwealth at all. In Cambridge a group of ~200 people are gathering from all over the world to start studying for their MBA. Lives are changing, new thoughts are being expressed, and we're all learning and growing together.

Change alone is unchanging, and how exciting is that.