Sometimes taking the trash out is a
reprieve. You know those times when you
are so squished in your house and your mind and the kids are fighting. And then you step outside. And you close the door. And it stops.
The sounds stop. Yes, the
fighting doesn’t stop. But the noises
stop. And you are alone. And you look outside and you own the
outside. The sun setting, the trees
swaying, the smell of Iowa. It might be
humid or 100 degrees or zero degrees, but it is yours and it is just what you
need. The walk to the garbage can, just
across the grass is beautiful. The birds
are singing and maybe there is a squirrel running here or there. I really should come out just to savor the outside, not because I am going crazy inside!
And I look up to the sky. It stretches forever. The Iowa sky never quits, even with the tall
trees. The horizon just doesn’t
end. I might even find a few outdoor
tasks to do: stacking chairs, thowing away stray cups from the kids, picking up
toys. It doesn’t feel like work because
it is quiet and because being outside is my sanctuary. I was not meant to stay indoors. Winter is long. I have learned to live with
it and enjoy it even, but the love of nature is embedded in me. It shapes me and calms me. Calms me enough to return back to the
house. It was just a few minutes, but I
return and I am ready to continue on.
The kids have worked through their issues and it is like the fighting
never happened. Nature is healing to me
and I hope I always have a few trees and a large sky to keep me company.
Sidenote: I also found “happiness” in
doing the laundry. I know, I couldn’t
believe it either!
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