March 1, 2023

“It’s too quiet!!” Those are the words I heard from the back seat of my car every time I got into the car with the kids. From the day Ellie could talk, she would demand that the volume be turned up on music and DVD videos when we got into the car. I even asked the doctor to check her hearing.  No problem there.  She just abhorred silence. Needed something to watch and listen to. (More on that in another post.) She is not a quiet child.

When the kids are home the house vibrates. There is laughter coming from their bedrooms, music blaring from the shower, and thumps of things being dropped, moved or broken in their rooms. There are shoes on the stairs, cups left everywhere, and so much laundry you would think we were a family of 8. FYI, towels can be used more than once, children!

So now it is my turn... “IT’S TOO QUIET!!!” For the first time in 25 years I don’t have a husband, child or dog in the house with me. My husband is traveling for work, our beloved dog Monty passed away in December, and kids are schooling at their respective universities. I knew this day would come and did my best to ignore it.

I don’t mind silence.  I don’t turn on the television or music the minute I walk into the house. I am ok with sitting in a car with others and not talking. I do suck at relaxing and doing nothing, which is what any normal person would do with this golden opportunity I have been presented with. I stayed later at work today hoping to pass some time. Then I came home, talked to my dad, ran 4.5 miles, washed my car, watered the plants, mopped the floors, and cooked dinner. I have completely caught up on Chicago Fire and folded all the laundry.  It’s only 8:30pm. 

I am going to try and enjoy the next few days. Watch “my” shows, do a face mask, paint my nails, have frozen yogurt for dinner. But Ellie comes home for her spring break on Friday. And I can’t wait to pick up the empty cups, do a load of laundry every day, listen to the chatter and laughter with her friends, and to especially yell up the stairs to turn the music or tv down. I will love every minute of noise.