Thorndyke Thoughts: Change is Hard

Thorndyke the Bear in a Mask to Prevent spreading virus

 

Hey Kids,

As you can see, I've been equipped with a pretty cool facemask, which helps to protect my coworkers now that they have started to return to work. It has been really nice to see them again; the last three months have been very lonely. The fish are not much for conversation.

Being isolated for so long was hard, but I've gotten used to it. And now that we are starting to offer limited services, things are going to change again. And I'm excited for when that means I can see you all again, but change can be really difficult even if it's also good.

Fortunately, I'm no stranger to changing circumstances. I've been through several lengthy construction projects that were at least as long as this closure. I've seen some of my favorite librarians come and go. Even if it looks like I am handling these changes like a champ, there are a lot of feelings and emotions I've had to work through each time.

Whether a change is scary or exciting, it's a good time to talk through your feelings and expectations. Ask questions about what might happen, and prepare for when things don't go exactly the way you want. For example, I thought when my coworkers returned that I would get a lot more snacks, but that didn't pan out. 

So stay safe until I can see you again. I can't wait to check out your mask fashion. And in the meantime, I've included some photos of me that show how much things have changed around library, and a few books about changes you could check out.

Bear hugs,

Thorndyke

Thorndyke the Bear dressed as a clown in the library over 20 years ago
Thorndyke the Bear in the Cyber Kids Room in the early 2000s
Thorndyke the Bear in charge of construction prep almost 5 years ago
Thorndyke the Bear and the librarian I miss every day

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Clockwise from top: Thorndyke in the Cyber Kids room in the early 2000s, Thorndyke dressed as a clown in the 20th century, Thorndyke in charge of construction in early 2016, Thorndyke with a librarian he misses very much.

Ch-ch-ch-changes

Charlie follows the same routine every day, because he worries that something bad might happen if he does not, but when friends call one morning asking for Charlies help, he forgets to follow his usual routine.

Harpreet Singh has a different color for every mood and occasion, from pink for dancing to red for courage. But when Harpreet's mom finds a new job in a snowy city and they have to move, all he wants is to be invisible. Will he ever feel a happy sunny yellow again?

Things that go away by Béatrice Alemagna

There are many things that go away: leaves fall, tears dry, music lasts only for a few moments, and bubbles pop, vanishing without a trace. Everything in life passes, moves on, or transforms--except one thing that never fades.

Some things change by Mary Murphy

The world is filled with changes -- some we can control and some we can't. They just happen. Some changes are exciting. Some are surprising. And some changes can even be a little bit scary. But some things, like a mother's love, are best because they never change at all.

This house, once by Deborah (Deborah Jane) Freedman

Asks readers to think about ways in which the natural world has provided for them by exploring all the different elements of a house and where each came from and the changes they had to go through to make a house.

Head back to the CPL Connect square, or the main 62 Days of Summer page for more ways to participate in our summer program.