Silence and simplicity

 

Such a lovely evening lastnight. I thought it would be colder than it was, so I made a pot of chili. Agood friend came to share it—plenty left over for tonight. She is the kind offriend who lets me dump about what’s on my mind, from personal problems I know won’ttravel any farther to the political thoughts—and outrage today about the Texasabortion case—that we both share. She brought the gorgeous poinsettia above. I’venever seen one like it and am particularly fascinated by the one white leafwith the red splotch in the middle.

But late last night, when allwas still, Sophie was asleep in her crate by my desk (her favorite place) and Icould hear her gently breathing, the Christmas lights still on, I sat with aglass of wine reading the Truman book that has me so interested. And I thoughtto myself it was one of life’s rare moments of real contentment.

I haven’t been writing lately,except blogs and business letters to take care of all kinds of loose financialends, but it occurred to me this morning that I was being lazy, and I reallyshould get back to the work-in-progress, another Irene episode. Just when I wasscolding myself for slacking off, I went to virtual church, and our minister,Russ Peterman, preached about silence and simplicity and how we get so franticat this holiday season that we miss the real meaning of whatever holiday wecelebrate. We need, he said, to create space in our lives to pause and take abreath, space for stillness. And I thought, “Wow! That’s what I’ve been doing.It’s okay.”

I had originally thought, whenI backed off from keeping a compulsive schedule, that I’d pick things back upafter the holidays. Now I’m back to that thought. My family will all betogether—between fifteen and eighteen of us—and there are things I need to do,lists I need to make. But there are also a world of things I want to read,including that Truman book, and now I feel at ease to do them. This morning Islept late, really late, and about the only thing I did that might be called constructivewas to make a batch of chutney, which is not turning out as it should.Otherwise, I’m reheating the chili and going to spend the evening with good oldHarry.

This may be the new me. But sofar, I’m liking it. Have you taken time to create a space in you life?