Childhood is measured
by sounds and smells and sights, before the dark hour of reason grows – John
Betjeman
In the season that
felt as though it was only ours – the time between the falling of leaves and snow, my sister and I would walk to the park near our family cottage in northern
Michigan. Most of the summer folks had
gone, having only left behind echoes of loving, joy-filled laughter.
One particular afternoon, my sister and I discovered the trees were a more than the usual generous audience – swaying
to the rhythm of our song – We Are Family – sung at the top of our lungs lying
on our backs with the merry-go-round spinning around and around.
It was one of those times we instinctively knew whose turn it was to get up and push, running around until jumping onto our revolving stage.
We were one.
Within the silence of nature with the waves from the lake lapping as our percussion, the gentle wind, our string quartet , the scents of fallen leaves, you name it, we knew had back up in the form of a higher power.
I am aware to this very moment it was one of the most enchanting, freeing, healing afternoons of my young life. As we walked back to the cabin in reverent silence, I realized it was the loudest conversation I'd never had. It’s likely this is the day we learned that in our way, though 5 years and 5 days apart in age, we were twins and carry with us an ability to converse without ever saying a word.
So cheers to family found, or otherwise.
I am finally remembering that the time in the between is where real life exists.
It was one of those times we instinctively knew whose turn it was to get up and push, running around until jumping onto our revolving stage.
We were one.
Within the silence of nature with the waves from the lake lapping as our percussion, the gentle wind, our string quartet , the scents of fallen leaves, you name it, we knew had back up in the form of a higher power.
I am aware to this very moment it was one of the most enchanting, freeing, healing afternoons of my young life. As we walked back to the cabin in reverent silence, I realized it was the loudest conversation I'd never had. It’s likely this is the day we learned that in our way, though 5 years and 5 days apart in age, we were twins and carry with us an ability to converse without ever saying a word.
So cheers to family found, or otherwise.
I am finally remembering that the time in the between is where real life exists.
