The Verandah Phenomenon

Today you could feel Spring! So it was an afternoon bike ride among the meadows of Morpeth -a great opportunity to contemplate life. We rode past a number of delightful country cottages and I noted again the habits of many older people - especially country dwellers who sit on their verandahs on such days and....think I guess! I wonder if this is a stage that I too will get to one day - that is being content to sit and think and watch the world go by. I wonder if they sit there because they feel that now they are older, life is best experienced vicariously - maybe it feels more secure watching from the verandah, rather than risking the frustration of not being able to participate as fully as one would like. My first reaction to this common phenomenon is to determinedly continue to 'keep all working parts in order' so that I can participate fully in all that life has to offer. But if I am totally honest with myself I realise that I too am beginning to prefer to 'watch' rather than 'participate.' Having retired from teaching teenagers this year - I am relieved to no longer feel that I have to remain current with the various modes of communication and entertainment of pop culture. Is this the beginning of my disengagement with the current age?? Is this just one step closer to 'the verandah?'

The verandah may however be a sign of deep contentment. Maybe when one is ready just to sit and think about the wonderful gift of life; to enjoy the blueness of the sky and sounds of spring; and not feel that one has to do anything - maybe the verandah is really something to look forward to after all.