Quiet Time

I sneak outside, trying to make as little noise as possible as I open the sliding doors onto my back deck. My neighbour's dog barks incessantly when she's outside, and she usually cues in to the sound of a door opening. But, for once, she is not outside and I can sit peacefully and enjoy the waning days of summer, which seems to be shorter every year.

I look around me and reluctantly see the signs of the encroaching fall. It seems only a short time ago that I welcomed the sound of Canada geese returning in the spring and the first buds on our lilac bush.

But I know that I am privileged, just the same, to enjoy these moments of peace because so many find no quiet time between the waking and sleeping hours.

And so I accept with grace the turning leaves and the birds flocking in the distance.

For those who read this, I wish you a quiet time to yourselves: a time which we don't often appreciate.