“The difference between the almost right word and the right word is really a large matter. ’tis the difference between the lightning bug and the lightning.” Mark Twain

Abnormal normal sounds

For the past hour plus, I have been sitting in a coffee shop drinking hot cocoa (sorry, Kristen!) and eating a brownie, getting stuff done on my laptop. I've finished my first "read-through/edit" of Chapter 1 of my non-fiction book (not ready to call it my second draft yet, but I'm getting there - see goals on side of my blog), checked/chatted on the Faithwriters message boards, chatted with my jewely sisters (some!), sent out jeweler assignments (don't ask if you don't know what I'm talking about - a bit confusing), and a few other things I'm not remembering. This is my first time taking my laptop "out," and I really am enjoying it.

Normally, when I'm on my laptop, I have one of two different "noise situations" going on. Either I have the TV and my kids chattering/screaming/playing/running/arguing in the background (pretty much any time they're awake), or it's fairly silent - I may hear the TV in thebackground from my husband, but really no other sounds.

Here in this coffee shop, it's a whole different kind of sound--one I have vague recollections of from when I was younger. There's lovely music in the background--not too high, not too low. I can hear the "tat-a-tat" of the three or four other folks here with laptops, and an occasional voice here or there. It feels so "normal" - I could definitely get used to this.

However, I really don't think it is likely that I will have this opportunity very often if at all - at least until summer is over, and maybe not then. I only have this opportunity today because both kids are at Zoo camp, and we don't have anything else we need to do. With a busy life, and a husband not as able as he'd like to be to get around and/or help with the kids, this may just be a lovely memory I need to hold onto until I'm in a different season of life.

But isn't that just like God? When I'm going through the active/stressful/tough times, he gives me a little reminder of what blessings await me later, while still reminding me of the wonderful ones I have right now. I AM looking forward to picking up my kids from zoo camp in a bit under half an hour, and returning to my "normal normal."

I still can't help but wait, with some anticipation, of when this "abnormal normal" may be normal for me, at least some of the time.

6 comments:

  1. Oh I love this! What an awesome memory! It sounds so cozy and just right for you. I know the sound of the soft keyboard clicking and the nice, coffe/choco scents while there are no interruptions, sometimes it feels like a whole new world. So glad you got to enjoy this! ^_^

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  2. Oh Joanne, this sounds wonderful! Can I join you? I'm so glad you're getting a bit of a break and get to enjoy a different kind of "normal". I hope you get many more opportunities to experience this. Blessings!

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  3. I'm ready to take my laptop back to a Starbucks and do some reminiscing. Such great memories with Mari. Jo, I am so glad you had some quiet time. Praying you have lots more. If I were nearby, I'd babysit for you so you could write this summer. So sorry I'm not. Love you, dear friend! Keep on listening for those abnormally normal sounds and enjoy!

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  4. Too bad it can't be a new normal. Sounds heavenly. So glad to hear about our lovely excursion.

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  5. Boy, can I relate to this one! Silence is golden! Treasure it up to pull out on a rainy day! LoL--love ya!!

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  6. Believe it nor not, I can relate to this. Either I am at my apartment alone in complete silence on my laptop, or I am at my parents house with my rowdy niece running all over the place and the dog barking at everything that moves. Maybe I should go hit up the coffee shop...

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