Peace Away From Chaos

Our bedroom is a peaceful place. Laurence just served us hot tea with biscotti from special cups on a small blue and white tray that I received when the neighbor lady two floors below us died. The tiny electric fireplace burns and we talk a little. Sometimes we sit – me in the small armchair and Laurence in the rocker – and listen to a service, or do some light reading until we fall into bed. I often think, this is the best time of the day.

But in the morning when Laurence sets coffee for me on the antique desk beside the bed, and he sits in the rocker drinking his, while we both read the Word then I often think, this is the best time of the day.

Today, Laurence and I took the Q53 bus to Jamaica Wildlife Refuge. For some reason, MTA was using a short bus. An Asian lady moved aside to let me have the empty seat by the window. Young people stood in a pack around the exit door. So close to me that I looked into their brown eyes, checked out fake fingernails, and their hairdos. Forget personal space on public transportation where you ride with every tribe and race, saint and sinner, rich and poor, and a lot of hurting people.

So we rode and looked out at stores and residences, restaurants, the overhead train, and Forest Park. (Laurence went to the park earlier today to walk on the horse trail.) We passed by the bay and saw planes taking off from JFK. Finally, we pulled the stop cord for the wildlife refuge. No one else got off with us. It’s rare that anyone does. We took a trail through flora and fauna and a forest. It circled around by the bay. In the distance was the NYC skyline. Laurence watched the birds and the ducks on the freshwater lake through his binoculars. The osprey flew from its nest. In the two mile walk we met one couple and another birder or two. It was peace away from chaos.

It’s a wonderful life – this living in the city – but for good mental and spiritual health, we must spend time in peaceful places. Berniece