Yesterday, when we got home from work. I waited, sitting in my wheelchair, while Joe parked the car. It was a lovely afternoon and I enjoyed just sitting outside. When Joe came up, I suggested that he zip across the street to pick up what we needed to make supper and I would continue to sit and just relax in the cool afternoon breeze. This took Joe by surprise because it was a real break with routine. Typically he would take me upstairs and then either we'd go out together or he would go out and I would check emails and blog and do other 'important' business on the computer.
But, yesterday, it just struck me how pleasant it was to simply sit outside. So, that's what I did. Joe headed over to Rabba to pick up the groceries and I sat back into my wheelchair and relaxed into calmness. We have a lovely yard in front of the building. There are huge beds of flowers that are well tended sitting on a lawn which is a deep beautiful green. Our street is well shaded by trees and, though in the center of the city, seldom used by cars, often used by people strolling.
Several of my fellow dwellers came out. Most rushed by, wordless, quickly headed to whatever it was they have to do. A few came out, stopped and took a breath, and made comment about the lovely afternoon weather. With these I chatted briefly, I'd wish them well and they'd head on off into the city. These chats were very 'small town, howdy neighbour' and I enjoyed them.
After getting in, the routine started. I had several emails that demanded responses. I had several things that needed done. I did them all. We had a kitchen catastrophe, oh my ... that recipe didn't work. The phone rung several times. Things had to be dealt with. And it all went easy. Very easy.
I would never have believed it when I was 20 or even 30 or 40. Those of you reading under 50 may not believe it but it's true. Sitting quietly in the breeze on a late summer afternoon chatting with neighbours about the weather isn't something that older people do in absence of a life of demands. It's something we do because ... hmmm, if I have to tell you, I realize, you won't understand at all.
8 comments:
Hi Dave,
Though on the lower side of 50, I'm Irish - yes we can get every type of weather within 24 hours and so talk about it constantly - so I know where your coming from. I am however envious of your late summer sunshine!
I so understand. Yesterday, "Labour Day," here, I was busy with a million, zillion things that I needed to do. I popped outside to find Paul sitting in the garage, staring out at the garden, just thinking. I went in and got a coffee and just sat with him for a while. Later, he thanked me for just sitting...such a small gift; the gift of presence, of stillness.
Oh, I know why. I just don't always have the opportunity.
Thank you for reminding me that sometimes I just don't SEE the opportunity.
That's exactly why I have two hammock chairs hanging from the old oad tree in our back yard. :)
That's an "oak" tree, actually. :)
Its funny, our back yard has roses, multiple different fruit and nut trees, and other flowers I have no idea what they are, yet I don't like sitting in the back yard to enjoy it. It takes going on vacation to appreciate nature and its beauty.
Whats "Rabba"? I assume its some sort of grocery store. Anything unique or special about it? I'm from London.
I'm a little short of 50 but it's gaining on me. That notwithstanding I love to sit, people watch, enjoy the warmth of the sun. We live a small town and there's a lot of greeting of people you've seen once or twice before. I love it.
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