The Porch Swing

SwingI sat on the porch swing the other night with Jan.

That statement is profound when you remember that the last 6 weeks of our lives have been crazy busy. We’ve been running at high speed with one big event following another leaving little time to catch our breath.

Little time to sit on the porch swing.

Little time to enjoy a sunset.

Little time to hold hands and listen to the night sounds.

The porch swing is our special place. Years ago when we were still dating, I mentioned to Jan how much I love porch swings.

A few weeks later he surprised me with a porch swing hanging in his little porch.

We spent many a date night swinging and talking.

It’s remained one of our favorite places over the years.

The swing is now gray and weathered. Some of it’s bolts are rusty, others are loose.  The seat sags a little in the middle. But we still love it.

It’s a reminder to slow down and enjoy the moment together.

To hold hands and watch the sunset.

To take a deep breath in the midst of the chaos and rest.

No Time

What is this life if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare?

No time to stand beneath the boughs
And stare as long as sheep or cows:

No time to see, when woods we pass,
Where squirrels hide their nuts in grass:

No time to see, in broad daylight,
Streams full of stars, like skies at night:

No time to turn at beauty’s glance,
And watch her feet, how they can dance:

No time to wait till her mouth can
Enrich that smile her eyes began?

A poor life this is if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare.

~ William Henry Davies