In her eyes there shines interest, two windows looking out into the world they see; two windows showing who lives inside.  The light is left on.  There is a ‘Welcome’ sign in the twin reflections, like the ‘Open’ signs in store windows.  Don’t be afraid of entering.  There are no bars on the windows, no ADT Security System sticker, no ‘Beware of Dog’ warning.

Once in, there is tea and music, all kinds:  country, folk, classical, choral, opera, piano.  There is laughter and candidness that can make a shy person blush.  There is conversation deep and wonderfully between toes, and over heads that everyone gets to wade through or swim in without reservation, blame, shame or criticism.  There is silliness and dancing, both in the same moment, in the same breath.  There are stories and recollections in honor of spirits continued beyond this Earth life.  There are puzzles on the table, movies on the screen.  There are soft blankets.  There is permission. 

There is stillness.  A forest of earthy creatures and plants, part of the décor, part of the conversation, part of the song, the dance, the silliness.  Three raccoons stretching up to the bird feeder for water and her comment:  “Oh, it’s just some of the locals stopping by for a drink.”

In her eyes shines three-quarters of a century of living, and yet she remembers being the vibrant entity in the maelstrom of adult living.  So that is what she sees in the mirror.  A youthful  reflection of the enthusiasm about potentialities leading all the way to the place she is now.  And where she is now contains the very same windows with the lights on and the ‘Welcome’ sign that was her home all these years.  The curtains are crinkled with age, but that doesn’t matter….it is all about the light.  It’s all about the ‘life’ that is still behind the window pains (spelling intentional), dancing, singing, laughing, writing, reading, watching, listening, inviting, painting, connecting with people even without even going outside.

It’s cold outside now.  But the candles are lit and the music is to die for. 

~~ djl  2/3/2025