After a late evening run into town in order to buy paint for the dining room makeover, we sat in the kitchen for a while. Having skipped supper for the fun of whatever else it was we were doing, I compensated with crackers and cheese. I’m not sure the meal rates high on the best foods list of the American Society for the Criticism of Whatever It Is You Are Eating, but it satisfied the purpose of me not feeling hungry. Maybe it is a bit elemental but sometimes serving the lower purpose will get us by until we are better fortified for the higher one.

While I was doing that, our son Jay brought over supplies for the next evening’s celebration supper. According to the conversational fragments I’ve managed to hear well enough to decipher, he and Leah are planning a small private wedding. Per the previously cited source, that will be followed by a small private supper at our place.

Even though it was nigh onto bedtime by the time Jay arrived, not to mention by the time he left, Randa and I nonetheless opted for some more private time outside on the patio.

A nearly full moon shone from its nocturnal zenith in a clear sky. Soft shadows formed beneath the trees. The evening air was cool and pleasant, bringing more a sense of September than August into the night. While we sipped our drinks, the cat prowled about the planters and chairs, stalking whatever was crawling about that hour of the night.

There was a soothing stillness in the breezeless quiet, a calming presence. In between questions and answers and more questions, I leaned my head against the back of the chair, stared at the moon and closed my eyes.

Even on a tired night after a long day, there may be things worth giving up a bit of sleep. When we keep such moments as this, we both reap the harvest and sow good seeds that help relationships provide even more than what is needed.

For the richest harvest, we also need to invest such time in conversation with our Heavenly Family.

H. Arnett

8/27/15