Yesterday I received a call from the man from whom I rent the cottage-by-the-sea. From his hospital bed he told me that he was dealing with a little medical problem and thus would not be flying to Florida on Sunday as planned. Could I hold off coming to the cottage for a couple of weeks until….?
“Of course. The important thing is that you get better. I’m fine wherever I am,” I told him. And I meant it. My first thought was that he get better so he could play tennis in the Florida sun. I readily admit that on another day, in another situation, I could have thought first of myself, of my loss. But this was a good day!
The good day continued as I noticed how content I was with the changing plans: the shift from days of solitude watching the water and walking the beach, to the inherent sociability of my life at home; the readjustment I would have to make to schedule writing my memoir.
I’m fine wherever I am these days. Six years ago, as I prepared for my first season at the cottage, I wouldn’t have been in that place of satisfaction. Back then I longed to experience silence, solitude and simplicity and figure out what it meant in my life--past, present and future. Now I have a sense of it; I own it deep inside. Wherever I go I carry silence, solitude and simplicity with me.
I hope this works out for us. I hope my friend can get to Florida. I hope I can have another season at the cottage. Regardless, our journey will continue to change. Regardless, I am very grateful.
“Of course. The important thing is that you get better. I’m fine wherever I am,” I told him. And I meant it. My first thought was that he get better so he could play tennis in the Florida sun. I readily admit that on another day, in another situation, I could have thought first of myself, of my loss. But this was a good day!
The good day continued as I noticed how content I was with the changing plans: the shift from days of solitude watching the water and walking the beach, to the inherent sociability of my life at home; the readjustment I would have to make to schedule writing my memoir.
I’m fine wherever I am these days. Six years ago, as I prepared for my first season at the cottage, I wouldn’t have been in that place of satisfaction. Back then I longed to experience silence, solitude and simplicity and figure out what it meant in my life--past, present and future. Now I have a sense of it; I own it deep inside. Wherever I go I carry silence, solitude and simplicity with me.
I hope this works out for us. I hope my friend can get to Florida. I hope I can have another season at the cottage. Regardless, our journey will continue to change. Regardless, I am very grateful.