Sounds of Life

Hello Hatters,

I hear sounds everywhere I go. The air cleaner by my bed has a particular hum that lures me to sleep. The alarm clock on my phone wakes me up. My Keurig coffee maker gurgles in the morning. I have two battery operated clocks that tick as each second passes, but they are not synchronized. If it is very quiet, I hear a click of each half-second.

My ice maker drops ice up to capacity and then stops. I have multiple wind chimes on the back patio making their own rhythm with nature. When laundry is in the works, there are the sounds of whirling movement or agitation. Then of course, the obnoxious dryer buzzes when the clothes are dry (the loud noise which never ceases to startle the heebie-jeebies out of me).

I live on a busy street corner and the traffic, emergency vehicles, and unmuzzled motorcycles whiz by everyday. Dogs bark. Military planes fly overhead frequently. For the nature sounds, I am blessed to have many birds in my branches, and the tall trees that allow the breezes to rustle the leaves: soothing sounds.

At work, when my computer is stressed, it has its own revving sound. Elevators ding, phones ring, heavy office doors close, water pipes swoosh, and the list goes on and on. After a while, we don’t even notice these sounds.

There is a missing sound in my life. I long to hear Country Hubby’s voice. He was a tough guy for a long time, but the years mellowed him in so many ways. His voice even changed. He spoke softer, gentler, and slower. He spoke little German phrases to his loved ones. He spoke kindness, gentleness, helpfulness, and always, love to me. He loved to laugh and he had a joke to share at a moment’s notice.

If you find me quiet in the sounds of life, I’m thinking of a consuming love story who made my life better in every way. I’m remembering special memories or everyday occurrences that wrapped our days into months, and our months into many shared years. Recently, I had a friend ask me if my house was too big now that I’m alone. “No,” I answered. I smile as I know my house is full of his touches and our memories. I do miss many things, including his voice. He was the melody to my harmony and the music to my heart that goes on beating without him.

MT Penny