domestic tranquility
kevin, jennie, julie…if you’re reading this, you are already smiling. :)i thought of this precious term the other day, and my mind wandered back to walt’s, the obu cafeteria that is no more, and one cold, wintry day when we were all huddled for breakfast at one of those long, brown tables with the uncomfortable, attached plastic seats. andy scott was there, and one or more of us was wearing a white, long-sleeved t-shirt as an under-layer with a perfectly thumb-sized hole at the cuff. we would hold our hot beverage of choice in our cold little hands, thumbs shyly poking through their holes, and tenderly sip as steam warmed our rudolph noses. ah, domestic tranquility, we would utter. who originally coined this term, i cannot recall. but its meaning has stayed close to my heart.
isn’t it what we all long for? to be at home? to belong? to have our cold hands and feet covered, and to be nourished by not only what we need but by what we want?
perhaps i’ve been thinking of the term more than usual because we just moved. and although 208 clay is wonderful, yes, we still haven’t unpacked everything, and we still have half a storage unit yet to unload upon the already-stuffed house. we have longed for domestic tranquility, and so we have attempted to keep the living room clear of clutter—so that we at least have one room we can collapse into after we’ve braved the fierce day.
i’ve been so sad because i haven’t decorated for Christmas, and unless a miracle happens (and i suddenly have a few DAYS to work on everything), i do not plan to do so. why bring more stuff (albeit wonderful, smile-inducing stuff) into all the stuff that’s already threatening to swallow us whole? and i suppose i say i’m sad because being in a Christmas-decorated home seems the essence of domestic tranquility.
but then maybe i’m missing the whole point.
because not once do i remember ever “feeling” domestic tranquility—in college or elsewhere—while i was alone. and all we needed was a couple of chipped mugs and a few holy shirts. we were even sitting on hard, plastic seats, for heaven’s sake. but we were together. and we loved each other. and that was what made our domesticism tranquil. (well, that and the hot chocolate.) :)
so perhaps that is what i need to remember as Christmas Day becomes closer and closer; down a few hot ones with the ones i love, and soak in the warmth of peace that genuine love and happiness brings.
i’m anxiously awaiting your comments; i cannot wait to hear your thoughts on this, my loved ones. (kevin, jennie, and julie, and all other loved ones, as well.) :)
all for now @
1:36 PM
4 comment(s):
I remember the hard chairs and the hot chocolate. What wonderful memories...do you also remember running ACROSS campus in 20 degree weather to get there?? I do...it made the warmth that much sweeter.
I too yearn for domenstic tranquility...though I have never heard the term. I seek a phone that doesn't ring, bills that aren't pressing (no they don't exist), cards that don't need to go out...in addition to this, a house to be decorated, or a hungry dog, dirty laudry for 4, and 3 squares a day. I will find my tranquility one moment at a time...not in silence, not in organization, I not sure where. Bit I WILL find it...and savor it. Thank you for your blog. It was written beautifully...and immediately took me back to the same, yet different time.
By
Stacy, at
7:14 PM
Thanks so much for sharing your memories. How true that our friends/family make even the unbearable "home". I hope you get a chance to get some hot chocolate with extra marshmellows, sit down with loved ones and enjoy! Merry Christmas!
By
Katie A, at
9:45 AM
i'm pretty happy that domestic tranquility has re-surfaced. yes, i do believe that i coined it after all...."it" feels so nice. after having been on the road for the past 2 weeks, it's so nice to have a fire crackling in the fireplace and be surrounded by piles of clutter and snow and dirty laundry and not to have to care about much but how many marshmallows i'll put in my hot chocolate this morning.
i love and miss you.
perhaps i'll see you over the holidays. i hope?
domestic tranquility to all and to all a good night.
By
juliebelle, at
7:28 AM
bekahr--
we want a singalong over the break.
can you do it?
will you do it?
for our friend crystal.
and for us.
for fun.
By
juliebelle, at
6:44 AM
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