My New Favorite Time of the Day

Throughout my life, there have been different “favorite times” of the day that I can remember. Today as I arrive home from a day of caring for others, the gracious solitude of my home has become one of those “favorite times.”

My car knew where it was going and how to turn onto my long, dead-end residential street where our little house was waiting down at the end, on the verge of the cul-de-sac. The new snow glistened beneath the mid-afternoon sun as I just enjoyed the ride amidst sparkling light. A gentle wind welcomed me as I pulled into the driveway, alone and sitting for a few moments.

Solitude. The sound of the word used to seem lonely to me. Then a few years ago, a friend taught me what it means to be an introvert. “How do you re-charge when you are emptied out?” she asked. I answered that I like a quiet walk in the woods or just puttering around on a project by myself or sitting in my living room with the house quiet and afternoon sun streaming in through the front picture window. Add a cup of tea and that is perfection for me. “So you re-charge in solitude, then,” she observed. I realized and answered “yes” to which she responded, “then you are an introvert.”

So that makes sense on a day like today. In post-retirement, I am an RN in a lovely, private Family Medicine practice a few days a week. We have an old-fashioned way of giving our patents focussed attention and it is an honor to care for them with a team that is so authentic and kind. Sometimes on a Friday afternoon I get out a little early and meander home while there is still some afternoon remaining. Like today.

I feel like I have loved my patients and co-workers well. I feel fulfilled. I know I made a difference in some lives today. I am so grateful to have had the opportunity. Work is good. I take my stethoscope off and put it away until next week. I do the same with my name tag.

So now my home has received me in gracious solitude and I sit musing in the quiet afternoon. The sun is streaming through the living room picture window. I sip my tea and just be.

I look back on these last eight hours with peace. There is no music, no talking, no problem solving, just the chance to write…by myself and think that this… may just be my new favorite time of the day. Just maybe.

Thanks for listening.