Listening

Listen to the wind blow- the refrain from Fleetwood Mac plays in my head

Every morning I listen to the chorus of birds in my back yard- trilling and chirping and somehow melodious in a cacophonous way.

I listen to music- last night played My Lady D’arbanville by Cat Stevens- so much music, so little time. I spend entire evenings with my husband you-tubing music we like and I love that listening.

Listen, Linda, listen-the facebook post that won over the hearts of millions, which I repost because it always brings a smile to my face.

I learned to listen

To listen and obey my parents

To listen and share with my siblings

To listen for the sound of my children’s breath as they slept.

I listen to the sounds of my house- it is an organic being, creaking and sighing and burping at night.

I listen to the television- shows, ads, the news, Voldemort’s twitter feeds.

I listen to my car, glad when it purrs, concerned when it clunks and thunks.

I listen for laughter-wherever I can-because laughter makes me feel that life can be joyful. I was volunteering at a senior event when they did laughing yoga and it was sublime.

I listen to my inner voice, I conduct internal dialogues that help clear cobwebs in my thoughts.

I listen to the ruckus of the day, and the quieter sounds of the night.

I listen to my son’s band as they strum guitars, beat drums and bellow songs.

I listen to the sounds of silence by Simon and Garfunkel and by Disturbed.

I listen to the silence that marks a peaceful interlude.

I listen to my heartbeat and my breath and I am grateful.