Filling the Void

I have noticed that when Herself is lonely, she visits her piano more often. The piano has gotten quite a bit of use lately; in fact, Herself has gotten out some additional music and is learning to play some new pieces (or relearning some old pieces that she has not played for more than twenty years). The music pleases her, and the challenge of a complicated work keeps her mind occupied for a little while.

Some days, time crawls. Yesterday afternoon, she played the piano, and then she sighed, and checked her FaceBook, and read her book, and tidied the house, and fed the children, and went for a walk, then sighed and played the piano again. The piano occupied just enough space to keep Herself from dwelling on her loneliness. I hope that it will do the same today.

Music was my refuge. I could crawl into the space between the notes and curl my back to loneliness.
- Maya Angelou

Full

Herself had the rare pleasure of enjoying dinner with a friend yesterday. The meal itself was unremarkable -- a standard sandwich -- but the company was outstanding and the conversation was gratifyingly consequential. Once more, she is enormously thankful that the Universe has seen fit to provide her with this cherished friend.

Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another, 'What! You too? I thought I was the only one.'

- C. S. Lewis

Small Miracles

Herself attended a doctor's appointment yesterday with a much-loved relative, to provide support as critical test results were received. Magnificently, miraculously, the report was good news indeed. A sigh of relief, an unwinding of muscles that had braced themselves for the worst, a slow, broadening smile. Hallelujah and praise be. Treatment will continue, but with new hope that disease will eventually be vanquished fully.

Miracles are a retelling in small letters of the very same story which is written across the whole world in letters too large for some of us to see.

- C.S. Lewis

Hey Hay

Some days, I wish I could just sleep hidden in a pile of hay, like James the guinea pig.

Listening to the Music

Music is love in search of a word.
- Sidonie Gabrielle

Sugar-Free, but Made With Love

We have made our first attempt at cooking with artificial sweeteners in lieu of sugar. The result: a pan of brownies, especially prepared for an extended family member. Though you'd never know it from looking at his slight build, he is diabetic. He recently received difficult medical news, and the family is rallying around him, hoping to bolster his spirits as he undergoes treatment. Our contribution is the brownies, his favorite dessert. It's the very least we can do.

Guest Room

Sometimes, Herself imagines having a very small house. It would be tidy, organized, everything in its place - the essentials, nothing more. She would like to situate the house on a large plot of land in an environment close to nature: the desert, the mountains, a forest. A location where hiking is plentiful and people are scarce. A place where everyday worries disappear and life is simple.

Recently, a subtle change has occurred in her mental house plans. She has added a guest room. While this might not seem particularly unusual, it is, in fact, extraordinary. For the first time, she has friends with whom she is willing to share her happy place. Her friends do not crowd her: in fact, having them there would increase the joy of the small house.

Such a wonderful thought, indeed.