One of the first things that attracted me to our new home in Pittsburgh was the back yard.
Fenced in for the kids to play.
A deck for our summer dinners with friends and family.
Trees bringing nature and privacy.
Speakers for my music.
A beautiful view of the sunset.
It represented everything that brought me joy and comfort in an otherwise hectic world.
Recently, my kids made it to bed before that sun disappeared in the distance, and I grabbed a glass of wine, threw on a country tune, slid through the opening of the sliding door and sat down with my feet resting up on the deck railing.
It was hot out, but I welcomed the way the calmness blanketed my body.
I could hear myself exhale and swore I could see the stress leave my mind and my body right along with my breath. It was just … quiet.
But within seconds, the noise cut the serenity like lightning strikes the air.