We Really Don't Need Much
The other day we had an event happen to us that turned out to be very interesting to examine. The power went off in the buildings in which we live from 9am to 2am the next day. At first it didn’t mean anything to us. We were cocky. It had stopped raining heavily and just a little mist was falling . What we hadn’t taken into consideration was the food in the refrigerator? The food in the freezer? No computer? No home phone? No washing machine? No TV, No Lights?, NO HEAT!!!! Now that’s a different story! I had been sick in bed for about 11 days with a cough and cold and there was a light drizzle and freezing outside. We couldn’t cook and decided to run out for a early, quick dinner. We left our dog, Sophia, at home but bundled her in her favorite blanket.
We came back and Bob made a roaring fire and we lit a bunch of candles in the living room, with a couple of flashlights and TALKED. That’s a new thing to try. Our neighbor friend stopped by with her dog to toast themselves in front of the fire and we were all in our jackets but very comfortable and actually enjoying ourselves. There were no dings from texts, no background TV noise, no new messages to look at. My I pad and cell phone, were quickly running out of juice and it was kind of a freeing feeling. OK ,we were on a desert island but we were on the island together, Bob, Sophia and I. The three of us got into bed (at about 7:30) with two comforters loaded on top of us, some flashlights pointing to the bathroom and a couple of big candles for a little atmosphere. I guess what I’m trying to say, is , I was very content! Bob had his girls with him, so he was happy, and Sophia was ecstatic!!
It’s not a new lesson but in this age of technology, we become dependent on all our gadgets. If we’re not on our computer then we are watching television, somewhat indifferent to the noise. We have become accustomed to it. We forgot, silence is golden!
Bob fell asleep, quickly, as usual and I laid there awake thinking , how interesting an experiment this was. I didn’t feel as though I was missing anything. I too, fell asleep. I remember, dimly, Bob saying the lights are back on, but I was out for the count and Sophia and I snuggled back to sleep. It was like camping out. It was fun and, really, we don’t need everything the way we think we do. Do we?