Sweet nothing

Quiet.

It's a beautiful thing.

When I was younger, I never appreciated the beauty of quiet time. I always tried to fill it with music, TV and background noises.

I detested quiet. It made me think.

Now, after marriage, two dogs, two boys, noisy neighbors and years of working in a noisy, bustling newsroom, I've learned to treasure those fleeting moments of quiet.

No screaming
No barking
No sound effects (I love you, boys and Eric, but you never stop)
No constant chatter (ditto above)
No TV
No music
No interruptions

Just quiet, stillness and clarity of thought.