Another Day in the Country©
Sitting in a beauty shop the other day, I overheard a piece of a conversation between a customer and the beautician.
“All I want is a little romance!” said the customer — the beautician’s hands were poised over her head.
“How long have you been married?” she asked.
“Thirty-five years,” came the answer.
I laughed right out loud.
Then I said, “Don’t we all!” and they smiled.
I was married for almost 35 years once, a long time ago. Both of us could have done with a little romance; but it was hard to come by after all those years.
In order for there to be romance there has to be mystery. In order for there to be mystery, there has to be an element of the unknown. By the time you’ve been together for more than three decades you probably know just about everything there is to know about this other person — or at least you think you do.
As I related this story to my sister, she said, “When it comes to romance — ignorance is bliss. There’s just so much you don’t know, so, of course, it’s romantic.”
She reflected for a moment and then went on, “Only I dislike using the word ignorance — it’s more like innocence. Like Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden story — they were blissfully innocent in a perfect place and as soon as they went exploring they discovered a whole new world with consequences. Novel idea for them, evidently.”
In my mind, I began to recount blissful moments.
Was I really unaware of the consequences lurking around every corner?
One of those blissful times for me is early morning before a day of 100-degree weather. I’ve just shut off the sprinklers and the flowers are idyllically refreshed, the fish in the pond are begging for food, an oriole — the exact same color as the orange pansies blooming beside our make-believe stream — stops for a drink and then dips himself in a shallow part of the stream, ruffles his feathers in delight while droplets of water fly into the air, catching the morning sun like diamonds.
Doves coo on the trellis where purple morning glory bloom.
Whew, it takes my breath away. I’m surrounded by beauty. I’m not hungry, destitute or sad. I’m whole, healthy, and looking toward finishing the porch project. I’m quietly happy and contented: Bliss.
Am I blissful only because I’m ignorant? Nah, there are all kinds of tragic possibilities during the 24 hours of the day; so I step carefully, do the best I can and hold all that negativity swirling round the world at bay. It’s me, like the angel in Revelation, holding back the winds of strife.
And I soak up the bliss, like water for a thirsty flower. I drink it in and sometimes I run and get the camera so that I can record this moment and look at it again and again.
So, if it is romance you are wanting, you have to cultivate, watch for, seek out those moments of bliss — because there’s romance in bliss.
If there’s going to be any romance, we’ll probably have to be mindful of the qualities which bring romance to life — whether that’s a beautiful garden, a sumptuous meal, or a delightful surprise.
Cultivate your tenderness because there’s a heap of gentleness in romance. It’s like that tender, early morning pause beside the stream, when you take note of your surroundings and revel in the delight of life. To have the company of someone who loves you is frosting on the cake!
Yes, I said revel about two sentences back. How much reveling have you done lately? Remember the oriole playfully splashing around in the water? At any moment, a hawk could have swooped down and ended his life but he was enjoying this early morning splash to the hilt.
It’s another day in the country and a fresh opportunity for some romance in your life. Watch for those blissful moments, remember the mystery, and try a little tenderness (isn’t that a song?). And gentlemen, here’s a hot tip — a little cologne works magic!