Written for Muse on Monday where David
asks us to write a story about a border, either in
space or time. Here’s where the prompt took me.
The old woman stood at her kitchen window, watching December 31st fade into indigo. Behind her, the clock’s second hand swept forward …. sixty seconds that belonged to no particular year, she thought, just pure passage.
Her granddaughter called from the living room, counting down with the television. Ten, nine, eight…
She thought of all the midnights she’d crossed: the one when she kissed her husband for the first time, the one when she held her newborn daughter, the one when she buried her mother. Each December 31st, she’d believed the border mattered, that something fundamental shifted when the numbers changed.
Three, two, one.
Cheering erupted behind her but she saw only her reflection in the dark glass, continuous and unbroken, the same woman she’d been a moment ago, unchanged.
NAR©2025
This is “Changes IV” by Cat Stevens
All text and graphics are copyright for Nancy Richy and are not to be used without permission. NAR©2017-present.
The Elephant's Trunk 
Indeed, just because the clock moves to a new time, on a different day and date, does not automatically mean big changes will happen! Awesome story Nance! ❤
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That’s exactly right, CA. The anti-climactic nature of holidays often leads to disappoinment and depression. Thanks for your excellent comments today.
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Great, thoughtful story, Nancy. New Year’s always seems like a reset but really it’s no different than any other day, except in our perceptions. Life goes on. Have a great 2026! I hope it goes well for you.
-David
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Thanks for your gracious good wishes, David. This is another one of your prompts that greatly inspired me. I’m glad I was able to project the idea that New Year’s Day is really no different from many other day. Happy New Year to you as well.
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The change is so subtle that it’s not noticeable.
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Indeed. It’s like looking at my husband; after all our years together, he looks the same to me.
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Very true! Outsiders can tell the difference but we can’t
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Thank goodness for that! The Almighty has given us selective memory 😆
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Haha! Exactly 👍🏼
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I like your train of thought on this Nancy.
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Thanks very much, Di. I’m so pleased to know that.
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it seems that time often takes its time to change, so we can’t just let time pass, and expect it to transform our lives.
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Right on, Jim!
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Gorgeous prose- and musical accompaniment. I love Cat Stevens.
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Thanks, Jodi. I love him, too. I met him in the Hamptons 1973 at a party; he is as beautiful inside as outside. I tried not to drool.
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Of course, I loved the Cat Steven’s song, and your story is very relatable these days, Nancy …
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Cat Stevens has been a fave of mine as long as I can remember. Love your soundtrack, Dear Ivor. Thank you. 🥰🎶
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Us fellow Stevo’s have to stick together, Nancy 🎶💙😎
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