LISTS
List of Little Big Things
- The quiet time in the morning, before anyone else is awake. Even doing dishes then is a quiet pleasure. The fireplace on, the scent of coffee brewing, knowing it will be quiet for at least an hour. In this hour, I belong to nobody but myself. It's a littl
- It's the comfort of deeply good meals, made from whole, local living foods. It's the chopping of vegetables, the simmering of soups, the rich sweetness of homemade custards or ice cream. It's the abundance of all this. It's a little tihng. But big.
- It's getting a whiff of my husband's unique scent: soap and laundry detergent and something that is just HIM. It's catching this whiff of comfort and love during a hug in the middle of the kitchen. It's a little thing. But big.
- It's hearing my 21-year-old son's laughter booming in his room. He has high-functioning autism, and neurologic illness from severe Lyme Disease. Some days he is too ill to get out of bed. Some days, I hear him laughing, and my heart leaps in gratitude for
- It's the deep pleasure of knowing that I have a circle of friends, the kind of friends who bring casseroles when you are ill. The kind of friends who would drop everything to help if need be. The kind of friends who laugh with you, rejoice with you, mourn
- It's being passionately interested in lots of things. Lately it's herbal medicine. It's getting the notice from the library that the book on ethnobotany you requested is ready for pickup. It's a little thing. But big.
- It's hearing your younger son, 20, who has had trials of his own, tell you that he is happy in college and is looking forward to his next classes. It's a little thing. But big.
- It's having your beloved cat jump up onto you on the couch during TV time, stroking her, and hearing her purr. It's a little thing. But big.
- It's looking around at your home and loving how it looks, how it feels. It's a little thing. But big.
