Silence

I’m not sure why this is hitting me today – but it is. Have you ever wondered about why we humans talk, have conversation?   I’m not just talking about communicating that the enemy is behind you – apes and elephants and lions can do that.

No, I’m talking about face to face conversation about whatever is on your mind – or mine. 

It hit me today.  Today was a usual day – putzing around the house and in the yard, playing with the dogs, studying the pilot training handbook, dinner in front of the TV.  And I did talk to 2 people, other than store clerks (which for this don’t count). But neither short conversation was of any depth. Somewhat superficial – ‘thank you for doing…, please do this….’

And I realized that I miss it. Even Glenn’s innate ability to think out loud and drive me crazy – I miss it. And talking to Hunter and Vespa – ‘good boy or get down’ don’t quite cut it. And while talking to myself often results in a good answer – today it did not.

And, yes, coming from a true introvert, someone who does NOT relish casual small talk – I miss it.

It is way too quiet……this lack of conversation. Back in my pre-married single days – I’m not sure if I noticed… probably not because that was what I was used to. Not so much anymore.

I wrote an essay recently about silence – the silence that was deafening when I came home from that day at the hospital (you didn’t miss it, it’s not been posted). And the silence has continued… I must be getting acclimated to it but today I noticed it again.

Despite the train whistle from across the river or the cars on the road behind the forest of trees, or the squirrels chattering and forcing Hunter to bark, in spite of the noises of life all around me, it is not just quiet but silent. And yes, there is a difference.

Silent because there is no conversation. Silent because the energy in this place I call home is different. Silent because the voice of love and the voice of life is gone. And the sound of that silence is deafening today.

It is what we humans are known for – this talking to one another – in a way that no other species does as far as I  know. 

What to make of it? Nothing really, just an observation.

The silence of being one – like one hand clapping……….

"The Sound of One Hand Clapping' by Dobie
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