A Simple Life

Sunshine and shadows form shapes on brown roof tiles and the red of the fire escape outside our bedroom window. Plants flourish on the windowsill and the Valentine’s Day azalea blooms beautifully on the nightstand. Laurence and I often hang out in this room with its small armchair, rocker, and desk.

This is the room where my sisters – Sundaymar, Leanna, Anne, Samantha, Jamie, etc. – came and sat with me (like Job’s friends only they weren’t quiet and they didn’t lecture me) when I broke my leg. Precious memories!

Little Berniece and I have spent many happy hours together in this room. I am reminded of this by the mementos that adorn a dresser. Bee moved to Pennsylvania. I miss her pulling out the colored pencils, taking a sheet of paper from the printer, and skillfully drawing a picture while sprawled on the floor of this room. Surely, she’ll be back.

Today, I plan to clean this room and the rest of the 755 square feet of this apartment. Usually, I’d pack a lunch and get ready for work at market tomorrow, but Israel asked if I’d want to take off since it’s supposed to be cold, and it likely won’t be busy.

I’m looking forward to a Saturday with Laurence. We talk of taking the train somewhere and hiking. Laurence asked at breakfast if it will be too cold to go to the ocean. Above the bookshelf in our room is a wooden sign that reads, “THE VOICE OF THE SEA SPEAKS TO THE SOUL.” Also, on this shelf sits a lunchbox from Grant, Nebraska, schooldays, a mallet from Penner heirs in Littlefield, Texas, and a dairy bottle from Triangle Dairy in Grandview, Idaho, where Laurence worked when we were first married.

A dove landed briefly just now on the fire escape. I’ve never forgotten the pair that perched there on a 9/11, reminding me of the peace of God in turbulent times. May God bless you with peace today. Berniece