Up north on holiday with my family, a lovely big noisy bunch of sisters, their partners and children, and my mother at an old bach by the water. I sleep in my tent for a bit of night time peace and quiet.
Waking in the STILLNESS of the morning, all is calm and slow, gentle water lapping on the beach below, quiet breeze promising another hot summer’s day. I luxuriate in this solitude for a while before going out to meet the day.
A morning chat then we wander down for a swim. The water is smooth and clear today, a languorous swim, such a great wake up for the body and FLOWING start to the day.
Needing food, an assembly line of efficient salad and sandwich makers does their thing. Then plans are made for the rest of the day, off to a surf beach nearby. Shouts to get togs, towels, sun hats. Kids march towards the car all STACCATO now that we’re off to the waves.
We return sandy and swum and hungry. Children want food now, run around getting under our feet as we try to make something to eat as quickly as we can. The pitch of squeals gets altogether too loud, the whines too much, everything seems to reach a CHAOTIC crescendo and finally we sit down to eat.
Ahh food….the vibe lightens as we fill our bellies, we laugh and chatter easily again, then the children go out to play before bedtime. We can hear the LYRICAL giggles as they run around in the evening light.
Children in bed, adults quietly reading, soaking in the peace. One of us brings up an issue from the day and we quietly talk it over. Blissful STILLNESS to close our day.
