An Empty House

[David]

Tonight I come home to an almost empty house. My dog Phoebe greets me at my front door as I come home from work, but she's the only one. My children pleaded earlier this week to leave early for the beach, leaving me home alone to fend for myself.

Funny thing an empty house, it feels so different. No laughter or giggles, no sibling spats. No fights over who watches what television show, it's all my choice tonight. My friends at work say how lucky I must feel to have some time to myself, but I don't feel all that lucky. I prefer my son pulling at my pant leg or my daughters asking for piggyback rides over me just sitting here watching the "Matrix" for the hundredth time.

I decided to take Phoebe for a walk off her leash but she happened to see a rabbit and ran into the woods. Oh the frustration in getting her to come back. She never wonders off, but tonight she had a little bit of that hunter instinct in her and she decided she needed a run amongst the trees.

After a degree of worry on my part, she eventually returned to me. I think she was more scared by the firecrackers I heard off in the distance as teenage boys in the neighborhood prepare for the Independence Day celebrations. We walked back together to the house and I stopped amongst my garden. The garden is doing extremely well this year due to the large amount of rain with periods of good sunny days mixed in.

The roses are in full bloom along with the inpatients, lilies, petunias and my favorite the Echinacea. Even the hosta has bloomed flowers under our great maple tree. Hosta are the most difficult to grow at my home for the deer just love the hosta. And since I saw two baby fawn and their mother in my driveway this morning, I'll have to assume that these hostas will soon make a good midnight snack for someone.

So I sit here now, in this big empty house clicking away at the keys on my computer. I'm spending time looking up things to due in Key West for I plan a return trip there this year. There are echoes heard outside of large exploding fireworks coming from the park down the street. A degree of guilt comes over me for when I look down I realize just how much pizza I have eaten out of the box. But enough self indulgence.

My bags are packed and the house is in order for it is tomorrow I'm off for my two hour drive to the beach to see those amazing children of mine. Tonight's empty house will become nothing more but a faded memory, for my children have a long day of activities planned for me when I get there. It will go something like this - beach, miniature golf, lighthouse, beach, bike rides, sunset, Chutes and Ladders and then finally falling asleep on the couch. Cool…

[Sally]

Ohhhh that's awesome David thanks for sharing!!! much love, Sally.

[Kathleen]

Hi David. Just came by to say hi! I always love the goodies on your page! Thank you for sharing your story and pictures!

[Robin Amy Bass]

Sounds wonderful!