Wednesday 30 August 2017

Full House...Again

Cottage living is the perfect foil to the regimented pace of the rest of the year.  It is the ideal setting to create sun-drenched, slightly overexposed memories of lazy summer days; my girls more than willing actors emerse themselves in their summer roles, running, swimming, climbing trees (and anything else they can wrap their arms around), kayaking, jumping and bouncing, reading, day dreaming and just general summertime romping.  My wife is an eager enabler and has taken every opportunity to sneak away to the cottage to allow the girls to make the most of their respite from the rigours of the school year. 

Therefore I have had the unusual experience of being home alone more often than usual this summer as I stay behind to attend to the duties of the job.  Two conflicting reactions emerge:

1) I'm home alone! 

2) I'm home alone... 

There are benefits to being home alone.  I can eat the best looking piece of barbecued chicken - guilt free.  I can start working out at eight instead of ten and crank the music while I do (though I inevitably turn it down because I think it's too loud).  I watch movies with the volume turned up too loud (which I inevitably turn down as well...because I'm also free to turn it down as low as I want).  I can sleep in the middle of the bed snoring as loudly as I want or at least until I wake myself up.  Ah yes - these are the indulgences that are not to be taken for granted.

I enjoy being home alone...for about ten minutes, but then I get lonely.  I don't like eating dinner by myself even if I do get the choice cuts of meat.  I miss the silly questions that zing around the table and being regaled with the adventures of the day even if it comes with extra mess and constant negotiating over how much food needs to be eaten before one becomes eligible for dessert.  It's not the same watching a movie without being able to cuddle with my honeybun and it just doesn't feel right falling asleep and waking up to an empty house. 

It puts my mind at ease and fills my heart with joy knowing my house is full...full of what is most important to me. 

"Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of one's youth.  How blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them."

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