For about 15 months after my wife died, I was alone. Then because of factors beyond her control, my daughter Prof moved home from Montana and into my attic. That was almost 4 years ago. A year and a half after she moved in, her sperm donor, who had been housing my grandson, Kiddo, decided that he didn't want Kiddo anymore. So I took him in also. So I haven't been alone since I retired, or at least, I have had someone in residence all the time since then. Last week, Prof left on Wednesday for the state capital, where her guy lives. She is staying with him for the long holiday weekend. She told Kiddo that in light of his recent behavior, (which is blog fodder for another time,) he was to find another place to crash for the long weekend. He huffed and puffed and blustered about how unfair she and I were being, but he called his dad and asked if he could crash there just for a few days. Dad said yes, believe it or not. But, Dad wouldn't give him a key and expected him to live by the rules of their house. Again a lot of blustering and bitching, and finally he gave in. I haven't seen or heard from him since last Wednesday. He texted his mom and said that Dad was being an ass (as usual) and he was staying with his friend Nick. That's okay with me.
Meanwhile, back at Casa Mine, I have had the whole place to myself. I have played the stereo loudly, have danced in the living room, have sang in the shower at the top of my lungs, and have run around in my underwear. It's quiet, and staying really neat. Any mess made since last Wednesday can only be mine. I have dined sitting on the kitchen counters, and eaten peanut butter with a spoon straight from the jar. I have stayed up as late as I wanted without the lights bothering anybody and I have NOT had the TV on more that 2 hours all the time I have been alone.
If Prof and Kiddo do decide to move on, I will miss them. I will miss Prof's tales about her job, and life. I will miss her cooking and just having her here to rely on for certain household chores. I will miss Kiddo's ramblings and even his blustering. But will I miss the constant noise of just having others in the house? NO! For, you see, silence is golden.
4 comments:
And when they leave, it will make their visits all the more special.
Living alone does NOT mean being lonely, but having the freedom to do all those things you wrote about in this post and on your own terms . . .good for you.
We humans are interesting creatures; sometimes we need our freedom and space and sometimes we need to huddle together around the campfire and share the warmth we create.
Terry
Curley, BPB and Terry: You three are such good philosophers! And all are so right. Being alone certainly doesn't mean being lonely, believe me. Been there done that! And it is true that at times we need freedom and space, and other times we need companionship of family and friends for the spiritual and physical warmth. Great advice, guys!
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