The solace closet
It is probably not a literal closet, but do you have a place where you can go when you need to find a little solace? Solace is the scratch when we itch. It’s the aloe on the burn and the tear to a dry eye. It’s whatever we find that is truly comforting to us when we are in a tough spot or a place of grief.
My own solace closet has changed over the years. I think it depends on the person as to how often it changes and what it is. I have found solace in prayer (that one remains constant for me), but also in things like running, music, sipping a cup of coffee early in the morning in a quiet house, sitting in the sun, watching the snow. It really depends on the season for me and what it is I am facing.
When I am lonely I find solace in being with others, but when I am overwhelmed I find it in solitude and peace. These days I am finding my solace in the small things — the details of life that usually flash before my eyes and are gone in an instant. The important, but very small things like the little dandelion bouquets my 5-year old picks for me, the text message from my 18-year old son, and knowing my oldest is still stateside and not deployed yet. Just knowing he is currently on American soil seems to bring me peace in the face of the stress of his upcoming deployment.
What is your solace closet? Has it changed for you over the years? Is it a physical place? A surrounding? A sound, smell, memory or other sensation?
Blogging is my other solace closet. Thank you for making it more special through the military ups and downs.
June 30th, 2009 at 11:37 pm
Wow Claire. The individual solace closet is a varied as the people that acknowledge and use them.
One of mine is often late at night; TV on somewhere in the upper 500 area; and spouse in bed. Doesn’t matter what’s on but just a bit of time alone, to think and pomder.
I find that I’m still bothered a lot by things and events that happened 30-50 years ago. They bother me a lot.
When all this thought is over and I finally manage to go to bed; one thing remains constant. I hug my wife and prepare to go to sleep. No matter what, all is OK. GOODNITE.
July 1st, 2009 at 5:08 am
Ah, yes… I think a lot of us need a visit to the solace closet before bed — at least those with things that can burden the mind. When Mike was deployed my computer and blog were my solace closet. I would go there and “be alone” with my thoughts for a while until I could settle and soothe them. Then, as you say, you know that all is OK…. it helped with the sleeping!