Day 1 - 16 Hours of Silence

Quiet's Trial Run

The real first day of 16 hours begins this evening at 8 pm.  Today was a good exercise in something more than futility and less than success. Puppy play, phone calls, kids unaware of the clock, and other tests try your ability to remain silent for 16 hours straight.

You have the right to remain silent! Even with three teens and a puppy.

Observances 

1.  I REALLY like silence and charades in the morning better than whispering and talking, unless speaking is ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY for getting kids out the door.  Then, the fewer words the better. Charades with bleary-eyed teens first thing in the morning is THE BEST!

2.  The puppy is a great alarm clock for the girls. She storms into their rooms with all love and excitement, wakes them abruptly by rooting through their stuff, and greets them with a snuffle before she moves on to the next room. 

3. When I am not noisily nagging girls to get out the door (the lone boy left at home is good at getting upon his own) one of might miss the ride to the train. So sorry. Sure do love you. 

4.  I am going to be really glad for these silent hours during the next few days of helping Hannah during play rehearsals with 36 third-fifth graders.  I was there for two hours and left exhausted of voice and body. She stayed an hour longer and then had another play practice afterwards. She is amazing. I am tired. 

5.  Driving in silence, especially for trips beyond a few miles, is NOT my favorite. 

Meditation

For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.  --Matthew 12:37

1.  Some of my silence is filled with prayers for a the people very close to me unexpectedly facing the reality of their own mortality. 

2.  Also, prayers for fleas infesting a family-member's home. "Go in peace, little fleas." 

3.  A smiling meditation is in order for the drive home from the train and the morning walk with the puppy. 

Fails

1.  I used words to make sure one girl REALLY knew it was time to go. In 16 Hours of Silence, words should not be used in harsh tones.  Ugh!

2.  At 10:13 a.m. I totally forgot my experiment when I needed to make a phone call. I make the call,  talk for 15 productive minutes, then spend 10 more minutes distracted by the fact that I should have waited a few hours.  Total fail! Oh well. Return to silence. 

3.  Might as well make answer the phone call from my sister.  But, that's it. QUIET!

Note:  I decided some failure shouldn't mean all failure.  Don't throw the day away because I forgot my plan once or twice.  No "Go big, or go home" here. Just shut up and move on with the quiet. Like any difficult endeavor, don't give up 'cause you messed up. Failure is not defeat. 

Monty Python's Chanting Monks - imgur.com

Quotes of the Day

"Pi-e Jesu Domine, Dona eis requiem," Don chants around the kitchen like a demented monk from Monty Python. "I think that's what you're going to be doing all day. Does your experiment include chanting?" No, but now that you mention it.....

"Let's just watch the next episode, Mom can't tell us no," the oldest kid in the house says with a wry smile. I stand up and turn the TV off. 

"I get a drive to the train. Mom said." Uh, Mom said nothing