Chill Out and About

My husband looked longingly out of his window.

“Do you think we should try it again?” he asked.

My eyes followed his gaze.

“Why not?” I replied. “You know that at our age, we have to seize every opportunity.”

He nodded and rose to his feet. Grabbing the wine glasses and cushions, he pulled open the door. Unseasonably cool air beckoned us outside.

Under the arbor in our backyard, we settled into our chairs. The first refreshing hints of fall floated on the breeze while I sipped my drink. A hummingbird darted across our patio. Birds flocked to the feeders as if on cue and squirrels appeared from the shadows, ready to perform their acrobatic displays from the trees. I started to bask in the moment. In the late afternoon glow, the change of scenery was complete.

How have I managed to miss this so often?

“Well, it’s certainly not live theatre,” I mused as I studied the landscape. “But the evenings that we are enjoying out here are really starting to grow on me.”

“It’s worth savoring,” my husband said. “With all the changes the last few months, I have come to appreciate this everyday beauty in a whole new way.”

My husband is right, of course. This type of tranquility defies the ordinary.

On most days, I simply focus too much on how foreign my weeks now feel. Events that once dotted my calendar have evaporated and I miss the many friends that shared their lives with me.

When I open my eyes to the splendor of the simple things, the stresses of the pandemic begin to lessen. The leaves on the trees rustle and I raise my glass. A sunset so glorious is worthy of a celebration.