This morning, as I laid there in the darkness, I became so acutely aware of the soundlessness of this time of our new day. I began to seek any signs of life outside our bedroom door….and with the exception of the soft and predictable snoring of Chico, resident fat Chihuahua, there was none. Isn’t it wonderful?  To have any time to just be…to use the silence to hear the answers asked of the angels…to rest in quiet gratitude for the beating of my own heart and the breathing that keeps me alive another day?  Breathing in and then out…the sound of it is wonderful when I just listen…just keeping focus on my breathing I can feel my very essence and it is well with my soul.  I’m missing nothing…all is well.

After just a few moments in this quiet world my mind began to change focus and I realized that I was ready for the day. Oh, yes, I was ready…but the world outside was still at rest. I wondered, why would I seek to hear the noise that surely will begin, soon enough?  Car doors slamming, engines roaring, dogs barking and as soon as Mambo, our bird, knows that I’m awake…the house will fill with his/her chatter. Profanity thrown round, like seed, he repeats the words and phrases he’s been taught over the years…from one human to the next.  He actually speaks and I hear my father’s voice. He “coughs” like my dad did.  He says “hello” in the voice of my Aunt Lois. He has Marks voice as he says, “Come here, birdie” and I’ve even heard my own voice as he says, “hi!” I hope that he doesn’t repeat all that he hears around here.  If he does, I’ll just blame it on Mark.

Such a peaceful feeling, here in our home. The coffee is just right and our kitchen feels so happy to see me. The lights outside are peeking round to see who is up and I just heard the first dog. Mambo just greeted me, “Hello!!!”  Soon he will want a pecan and the day begins in earnest.

This is the day that I get to go to Broad Ripple. I love it there. I’ll be taking my Christmas/Birthday earrings to my jeweler to be mounted into settings that will make it nearly impossible for me to lose. I have never been a graceful kind of girl…and there’s nothing self-deprecating about that statement. It’s just fine with me. Yes, I can dress for the ball and I’ll find something wonderful in being there…probably the music…but the real me is just waiting for the moment that I’d hang that gown back on its hanger and jump back into my sneakers. And so it is, with my jewelry. It can’t be a dainty chain or a cluster of anything. I work hard with my hands and any ring that dares to take the ride with me, had better hold on for dear life.  And, as these earrings are the most beautiful earrings I’ve ever had…I want to take away the Lynee’ factor. Sweatshirts on and off…brushing hair and back into the clips that keep it from hindering me while I work…Masks on and then off…oh the life of an earring when it’s mine. I’ve lost too many. But not these. These earrings will be passed from me to the next generation and be cherished as the beautiful gift that they are. 

And while I’m there, in Broad Ripple, I’ll walk into the gift store across the street. There are so many handmade creations there and inspiration, anxiously waiting to come home with me. I won’t stay long because there is a big panel waiting for me to finish. It’s going to be among the most beautiful of all of them.

The roads are clear, I have masks and sanitizers and plan to stay socially distanced. My hearts needs to see my mom and I just can’t stand the thought of her getting sick. I love her so much.

I look forward to the day that I can hug everyone that I want to hug.  I want to go visit friends that live elsewhere and meet them for coffee. I need to see my grandkids, even in California.  I long for the days when getting a cold doesn’t make me wonder if this is “it”. And those days will come. It’s what we do today that matters. I’m going to be happy today. I will make sure of that. And I hope that you do, too.  Happy Monday.