Sounds of Silence...Music to My Ears

Giddy from a Glimpse: I am still enjoying some endorphin like tail wind after a pre-dawn respite yesterday. While sweeping the driveway and sidewalk -- sweeping, so as to not wake others sleeping, a 'good neighbors' policy (sounds like a State Farm commercial, eh?) at such wee hours of the morning, I caught myself marveling at the sights and sounds (and lack thereof) of such a beautiful scene set for just ME...literally crystals floating and dancing in the street light, some of which came to rest on my face while others dusted the walk I just swept. They're playing games with me, taunting, teasing me I thought to myself...I could not resist the urge to stick out my tongue like we used to do (to catch a few flakes, NOT as a triple dog dare by licking the street light like in "A Christmas Story"!). As I watched this continuance of a crystalline cotillion, I was also reminded that we learned early on that, just as we were all created as unique individuals, each snow flake was unique in structure and design. Without my reading glasses on, I took our elders word for it. Yep, all this in a span of just a few minutes...makes moving snow sound almost romantic, at least sensuous--it was, at least this one morning, given the almost perfect powder for which people around here travel afar, for ideal skiing. Would have been more challenged to come up with such endearing descriptions if the snow had been that of a different consistency--that sloppy, wet, heavy, CRAPPY stuff we also get, the kind even your snow blower groans about.

Countering COVID Cacophony: As a most welcome accompaniment to the sights and tactile sensations the snow and mild breeze provided, was a few minutes of almost complete silence, save the sound of my own breathing when I paused my sweep to take it all in. I actually had a few minutes where there was literally NO sound in this neighborhood -- no cars, no train whistles, no sirens, no Alexa, nothing...not even the sound of wind. I found myself trying to recall when the last time was the perfect absence of sound was experienced, perhaps while up north recently. But even then, it didn't seem this serene. Which prompted me to take out my phone and take a video (maintaining complete silence). In turn, I reflected on how many of us get or take the opportunity to enjoy a few moments of silence inside as well, given the cacophonous nature of so many people and their electronics going almost 24/7, people who normally have a degree of time away from each other at work and school. 

Inside AND Out: Take time, find time, just a few minutes, to try finding such serenity, but please not while I'm out here...