Not Lonely feels nice

I am not a city child. I was reminded of this just a little while ago. I am visiting my Mom but arrived before she got home, so I took a walk in the woods with the pup. It didn’t take long before we couldn’t see anything but trees. Even bare of leaves they are thick enough that you can only see 20 feet or so in any direction. Pup and I made all kinds of noise sloshing through the mud and rustling dead leaves, so we scared any wildlife away. Consequently, when we both stood still the silence was intense. So, there I stood in the beautiful silence, totally unconcerned with the mud up to my knees and the burrs stuck to my coat. I felt peaceful and comfortable and home. I am not a city child. A city child may enjoy the peace and solitude of a place like this on occasion, but probably wouldn’t feel “home” so acutely. I was alone (except for the pup, of course) and suddenly I was not lonely. It’s been a while since I have been “not lonely,” and it’s ironic that I had to travel to the middle of the woods to find it. We didn’t stay for long. The sun was all but gone and after a few minutes we could hear coyotes in the distance. I may be comfortable with the peace and solitude of the middle of nowhere, but not so much that I don’t appreciate the warmth and safety of in doors after dark.