Here is one of the essays I wrote during my recent writing class at Whatcom Community College. Definitely not my normal writing style, but I thought I would share it nonetheless. Just for fun:
Spring
I almost
never laugh when I’m alone. I am usually deep in thought, settled within the
quietness of my own mind. But today I watched two dogs playing and suddenly
felt a spring of laughter bubble up from my center. As they slapped their front
paws repeatedly on the floor, raising their tail ends in a sort of dance-like
language while simultaneously hopping backward over and over again, goading the
other to join the dance. Today I laughed a hearty, joy-filled, playful laugh.
Summer
In the
early mornings, all is still and peaceful. The children are asleep, and the
dogs are still in their crates. They seem to know this is a special time for
me, as they don’t whine to be let out but instead wait patiently while I enjoy
my time alone. Just one small lamp, a cup of hot coffee and my cozy plaid
quilt.
I sit
quietly, looking out the window at the world slowly awakening. I read my Bible
and get my heart and mind set right for the day. Over time, the sun rises, and
my family seems to sense it’s time to rise. The quietness turns into a bustling
and busy home, full of love, joy and expectations for the day to come.
Fall
This
morning at sunrise it dawns on me that the days are beginning to shorten once
again. Soon it will be dark when I leave my home in the morning and dark when I
return in the early evening.
What is it
about fall that makes me feel content and cared for? It’s the cocoon of our
home engulfing and protecting the family within.
Fall begins
to close in on us, bringing us ever closer and ever safer. The harshness of the
wind beats against the windows and sways the huge evergreens that tower over
the neighborhood. Rain pelts the shingles, an ever present reminder of the heat
radiating out from the wood burning stove. We are warm. We are safe. We are
together, and we are content.
I’ve always
loved the late fall, how it seems to bring the family into the center and send
all else into the periphery.
Winter
I’m looking
at a lone, single set of footprints trailing through the snow, the only
disturbance in the otherwise glossy, smooth white blanket over the front yard.
Soft white mounds of whipped cream where the bushes once were. Beauty,
serenity, a sense of complete peace.
And then
sadness. It won’t stay this way. Soon, children will plow through the beautiful
glossy frost. Bright red cheeks and gleeful cries of laughter. Dogs chasing
them. Balls of snow and ice clinging to their damp coats. What a mess they will
make. Wet and cold and smelling like sweat and dirt.
Then I
smile again. There will be joy and laughter and freedom. Messes can be cleaned,
but snow days only come around once in a blue moon.
Let them
play. Let them joyfully cry out. Let them chase and let them run. The sounds of
laughter are ringing in my ears. Happy, serene and beautiful.