Sit still. Listen. What do you hear around you?
I can hear the dog snoring, a car reving it’s engine, my processor humming, and occasionally, the sound of the cool air being forced through the ducts.
Silence is on my mind because until 30 minutes ago my house was full with 15 women, 8 men and 7 children. The children played and ran from adult to adult seeking attention. People gathered in twos and threes and fours to chat and bring themselves up to date on what was going on in the family. Newer members of the family were worked into the fabric of our existence. Bodies swirled through the rooms of my house as though eddies of a stream were moving them along and depositing them where they could start a new conversation.
Today was the bridal shower for my brother’s daughter. My oldest sister took over the organization. She arranged for the thank you cards, the guest mementos, most of the food, the plates and napkins, the memory book, and the invitations. I prepared my home for the party and did a little cooking. I have a minor amount of cleaning up to do, and a LOT of satisfaction at having hosted a lovely party.
I started more than two weeks ago, weeding and working in the gardens for a couple of hours a day, arranging for the high glass in the house to be cleaned, and getting a start on my Fall cleaning. I shopped with Sister Number 1 for shower things. We rarely have the chance to get together, so we had lunch, and then chose little gifts for our guests. Perhaps that quiet time with her was one of the best gifts to come from this shower. I tried to fit the preparation in around the things that normally fill my life, plus a few surprises.
This past week I haven’t had the chance to blog. I missed keeping up with what has been happening in your lives, and I’m eager to read what you’ve all had to say. I had a lovely note from billy…..just checking in….making sure everything was all right. It was lovely to know that I had been missed. *S*
So….I’m enjoying the quiet, listening to the lack of furor now that everyone has gone their way. I’m delighted that I was asked to be involved. I’m glad that everyone had a good time, and I’m glad that I can put my feet up and rest a while before we do this again.
This kind of silence is wonderful. May you all have the chance to experience it!