25 December 20XX
My Dear Lucilius:
Christmas has long been a day of silence now for many years: no more rustling outside the door as children patiently wake for parents to wake up, no more frenzied action as wrapping paper and bows are torn apart, no more breakfasts or early dinners around laden tables. Just myself and the rabbits, taking in the snow.
I do not overly lament this change of course. This is simply part of the cycle that we all have to live through one way or the other, like it or not. People come, people go, but at some point we all find ourselves alone.
The question is, what do we do about it?
Some become bitter. Some cling to everything in the past, as if dying embers can light the future. Some simply surrender and give up.
And some learn to to drink coffee with their pets and watch the snow in silence.
I like to believe it was largely silent in the Stable the night as well.
Merry Christmas, Old Friend.
Your Obedient Servant, Seneca
"I like to believe it was largely silent in the Stable the night as well." What a lovely thought. Or at least it was a natural silence, not the one of the electronic background buzz that is all too familiar for most of us.
ReplyDeleteLeigh, I have to be honest that I borrowed the principle from Gene Logsdon in The Contrary Farmer: "It is no surprise to me that a god might choose a stable to be born in; only the ignorant think such a birthplace would be beneath a god's dignity."
DeleteDo we stand here and curse the darkness or light a candle and carry on. Reminisce about the good times in the past but don't get caught up regretting their absence now . Change is inevitable.
ReplyDeleteLivestock and pets help a lot of lonely people. I remember a coworker, now deceased, who lived out in the country. She told me watching her small herd of goats and chickens was very relaxing and fun. Winding down the end of the day with a glass of tea in the shade - very peaceful. She is missed around here - R.I.P. Kem.
Anonymous - I believe it was C.S. Lewis in his science fiction book Out of The Silent Planet that puts into one of the main character's mouth (an alien, as it were) that the distillation and reminiscing of memories was one of the great pleasures of old age and that in some way, was the point of collecting all of those memories.
DeleteAnimals are indeed an important part of our lives. I have spent many a pleasant hour in the past watching bees going in and out of a hive, and the sound of the rabbits quietly crunching away on their hay in the morning is strangely relaxing and encouraging every morning.
Very thoughtful addition, TB. I hope you are all well.
ReplyDeleteBe safe and God bless.
Thank you Linda! Hope you and your are doing well!
DeleteOne step forward and two back, but we are holding on and we are blessed. :)
DeleteSo often if feels like that is the way Linda. Glad to hear there at least some forward progress.
Delete