when the house is finally quiet

~ Live & Learn

Someone is always home sick: chicken pox, strep throat, another chicken pox, stomach flu…Baby Bliss sits on her hip. It is only later that week, perhaps, when the house is finally quiet, the dishwasher humming in the downstairs dark, her husband not yet home, and upstairs the kids are asleep or at least pretending. When she is finally in the soft light of her own bedroom with her hair brushed and her face clean, sinking into the down pillows with something to read, she arrives in a moment that is her own and not in relation to anything else—not a carpool, a nursing infant, nor a man she loves. She is self-contained, not only a woman but the sole measure of her own life.

~ Sarah McColl, “Joy Enough: A Memoir.” (January, 2019)

 

Notes:

40 thoughts on “when the house is finally quiet”

    1. She goes on:

      “But I wonder if I really want more children, or if I just want to be sure I remember all the joyfulness I’ve felt.” To remember all the joy.

      ~ Sarah McColl, “Joy Enough: A Memoir.” (Liveright; January 15, 2019)

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    2. Roseanne; could you possibly send me the link to listen to this post on NPR? I – a long time ago – was listening to some of their podcasts on true American histories, and it was fascinating hearing…. If not, tant pis! Thank You anyway.

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        1. Thank You so much, and sorry for having added once more a staggering number of additional ‚scores‘ on your roboting of electronic (and electrifying) hits 😉
          Listening right now – grief, loss, memories….!

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  7. Pingback: when the house is finally quiet — Live & Learn | Penny Wilson Writes

  8. Those moments were all the more cherished because they were few and far between.
    Now that they are young adults, there are ever more moments alone. Moat times good, sometimes too quiet.

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    1. I understand Dale. I do.

      “But I wonder if I really want more children, or if I just want to be sure I remember all the joyfulness I’ve felt.” To remember all the joy.”

      ~ Sarah McColl, “Joy Enough: A Memoir.” (Liveright; January 15, 2019)

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  11. Maybe it’s time that alters my experience, but I enjoyed both the doing (3 children) and the not doing. I made 3 large healthy sandwiches and a large pot of oatmeal or other whole grain cereal before it was my bedtime [my children caught a school bus at 7:05am!]. It all seemed to give me satisfaction, not “thank god it’s all done.” If that’s so, I’m truly grateful.
    I do love the painting and McColl’s sweet relishing of peace.

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    1. Valerie, Your thought so reminded me of another passage in her book:

      Then into the kitchen, where my mother smears peanut butter on white bread, drips honey, and sinks a knife to cut fours. It is just the two of us, and I am out to make something, too…Lunch, she says, and my sandwich is on a blue and white plate.

      ~ Sarah McColl, “Joy Enough: A Memoir.” (Liveright; January 15, 2019)

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  13. I know you shared from her book recently. Glad you are enjoying her work…In the past month I read a review about her and her work… the title is such a hook..”Joy Enough” .In your share today, I think of the thankless demands upon a person, when does the dad ever have time with his children and then alone time with his wife…and I hope Sarah hugs her self often, I can picture her sitting on bright green, fresh, soft grass next to spring’s gift of daffodils with her back against the base of a tree just budding out, the dappled light cast flickers of warmth through her body, as her knee are drawn up against her chest, her arms wrapped around the legs her head resting as she takes in the events of the morning, she breaths in Daphne’s eternal fragrance, exhales then smiles …Eternal Joy tumbling…dancing its way home to Soul…

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  15. Yes…. Now the house is too quiet too often – and the sandwiches are made in near silence, for Hero Husband, who‘s AGAIN – after having hardly arrived – leaving for the whole week….. and I pack all my thoughts, my love and hopes in between those slices of wholesome bread, together with whatever I have ready for him. ‚Child‘ is making own sandwiches, with the same love, thoughts and dedication, and the circle is closing once more.

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