I like the quiet. Too much noise makes me tense.
I think I was always like that. Growing up in a large, raucous family, I would search for places to be alone. I’d take a flashlight and a book, and crawl to the very back of the attic, alone. I would pick a mound of fresh peas and sit – hidden from view – on the far side of the black shed, while I shucked and ate them. I made a little hideaway by clearing the deep top shelf in our bedroom. I’d sit up there for hours, above the fray.
As an adult, I don’t need the radio playing or the TV on. My nerves get jangled when there are too many people speaking at once. Or when people are shouting or arguing. Or when the road truck causes my dogs to burst into a tirade of loud, sharp barking. I like things peaceful. I like it quiet.
Still, there must be another side of me that I am less aware of. I know there is a sharpness to my tone of voice that, over the years, people have interpreted as anger, sarcasm or nastiness even when it was not intended. I know I can sometimes be a “long talker,” beating a subject to death, almost. My husband thought I was bossy. My youngest daughter would often offer to take the time-out, grounding, or whatever punishment was at hand, if I would, “JUST DON’T LECTURE!!!”
And when my dear mother, who was an only child and often seemed a bit overwhelmed by all the noise and activity in our household, begged, “please just let me have a little peace and quiet…” I was often one of the people she was speaking to! Now, I would happily comply. I love the quiet!
What an interesting take on quiet, Cindy! You had me at the desire for quiet, the examples of ways you sought solitude when you were a child. I didn’t see the contrast coming – to the assertion that you aren’t a quiet person, sometimes just the opposite. I have to think about how that applies to me and to people I know. Do I expect that my desire for quiet around me should translate to being quiet myself? Off the top I don’t think so, but I have to think about why. I really appreciate the food for thought.
Thank you, Karen! I really appreciate your thoughtful comments each day…I’m on the mainland now ( up a few minutes before my sister and her husband) and things, I’m afraid, are going to be hectic soon. If I don’t have time to your blog, I will catch up – happily – when I get home. Ditto for responding to comments. Thank you, again, for reading, and for taking the time to comment!
I just saw this, Cindy. Thank you! I’m going to continue to post comments on your blog, and continue to appreciate that you are finishing out the A-Z challenge. I love reading your work.
Thank you for offering to catch up later. I look forward to continuing reading you long after A-Z is done and gone.
Karen, though I was unable to answer, I so enjoyed seeing your comments each day! Thank you for taking the time!
I belong to the quiet tribe too. Shhhh……
Good to hear!