Yesterday evening (the 23rd)
when we had sung our Advent hymn, blown out the Advent candles, recited ‘The
Night Before Christmas’ in unison (which was daft but a laugh) sung a few
carols and turned off the lights . . . and we were all settling down for the
night . . . Worthing called from his bed.
I went to his room and stood in
the darkness.
“What?”
“Don’t let’s quarrel on Christmas
Eve.”
“What?”
“Don’t let’s quarrel on Christmas
Eve. We always do. Let’s not, this year.”
“I don’t remember quarrelling on Christmas
Eve.”
“That’s because the quality of
the making-up makes you forget.”
I thought back to that very
morning (which is now yesterday). Within ten seconds of going downstairs, Ming
and Didcott were having a loud quarrel about a plug. A plug!
“We quarrel every day. Why should
Christmas Eve be any different?”
“Just . . . try ?”
The kerfuffle about the plug had
been followed by the sound of the door to the garden. Ming had gone to sit.
If anyone sits in the quiet
corner, they cannot be disturbed. Whether they have gone there to think or to
not-think, to read, write or day-dream - no-one may follow. You can go there
together, take mugs of coffee or simply to sit . . . but, if you go there alone,
you stay alone. When the children were little, it was a no-play zone. Even then
(especially then!) it was a sit-still place.
If you are sitting somewhere
pleasant where you have no-one to quarrel with, you soon calm down. If there’s
no-one to shout at, you stop shouting. If no-one’s with you - there’s no-one to shout at you. By the time you come back, life has moved on.
One of my big deal wishes for the
world is that architects, town planners, house builders, house-dividers,
housing associations . . . all those who have responsibility for the physical
way we live . . . should understand the importance of gardens. Houses should all
have gardens. Flats should have balconies. Everyone should have somewhere quiet
to go. Everyone should have somewhere where they can see something grow. At the
very least, at the last pinch, there should be fixings for a window box.
At Christmas, I know we should be
praying for an end to poverty, to homelessness, to war. I want these things
too. BUT that doesn’t stop me putting it right at the top of my wish-list -
that everyone should have a garden.
Happy Gardening
everyone!
14 comments:
Oh Esther, when I read about poor people (poor in many ways) living in our townships. Long day at work, long way to walk 'home', then sleeping in shifts. I so treasure alone space and time, how hard their life must be. Some who think like you and I, find a way to make a communal garden space. Somewhere quiet and green to sit.
A most excellent sentiment Esther - we all need a tranquil place to disappear into. Wishing you peace and joy at Christmas and throughout the year to come xxx
Quite right. Space to BREATHE. I spend most of my time outside, and can't imagine what it must be like to be cooped.
Green spaces are so important, not just gardens and balconies but parks and other communal places. And a special word for allotments. There's a need for them more than ever. Merry Christmas Esther.
A happy, quarrel-free, contemplative Christmas and 2012 to you, Esther.
Yes, I strongly agree. Happy Christmas!
Kerfuffle? Kerfuffle!
There's only one Esther and I'm so glad to know you. Loved that story.
Happy Christmas from Tropical Texana
David/:-)
P.S. I'll see your Kerfuffle and raise you a Discombobulated. (imagine a game called 'Word Poker')
I totally agree! Hope your Christmas was a peaceful one.
And I do hope your Christmas was grand, dear Esther. Happy New Year and Happy Gardening!
Hello Diana. It's interesting (and alarming) to hear of parallel needs in a different society. In many places, a park or communal garden is a necessary beginning but I continue to think somewhere private is a goal. In open spaces one can be quite vulnerable; not only because there are unpleasant people around but because there are nearly always friendly bods who unfailingly come to chat. They too can disturb one's thoughts!
Hello Anna. A space to be quiet in the open is like a drink of cold water in a hot room.
Hello Cro Magnon. Although I spend most of my time indoors nowadays, I have felt more content in the more outdoor years of my life.
Hello Janet. Agreed about the importance of allotments. Revealing my unfashionably anti-social stance even further . . . allotment sites aren't necessarily places for contemplation. Some allotments have quite a culture of chatting. That's a very good thing - but it also means I maintain my wish that everyone should have somewhere only they will be.
Hello Happy Mouffetard. Nope. Managed to get very cross on the morning of Christmas Eve. Nothing to do with Christmas . . . just life!
Hello EB. Good to hear from you.
Hello David. 'Kerfuffle' is an annoying word. I never say that. I always say 'kefluffle'. Much better. (Thought I'd better be correct for the post. Don't know why.)
Hello Elizabeth. Yes. I think our Christmas was peaceful - despite me getting cross (but only once . . . so far).
Hi Joey - yes. Grand and fun.
EVERYONE . . . THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR GOOD WISHES. I HOPE YOU ARE ALL HAVING A WONDERFUL AND FRIENDLY AND PEACEFUL AND QUIET AND NOISY AND PARTYFUL / or FULL-LESS CHRISTMAS.
BEST WISHES FOR ALL THE MONTHS AHEAD.
Esther, I do believe that is my favorite post ever of yours. I agree. Everyone should have a bit of garden, a quiet place to sit and come to themselves. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year my friend.~~Dee
Esther, What a good post to read...and I so agree, we all need a garden that we can retreat to when life is too much. I hope your Christmas was full of ease and delight. Happy New Year. gail
There is no disagreement here. Valid points in a post which made me chuckle.
I can always find calm in the garden, even in bleak winter. Yes we all need a little of that, definitely. Happy new year!
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