The Eye of the Storm

Silence.

All around me, silence.

The dog sighs and looks balefully in my direction, ears drooping. She cocks an eyebrow before dropping her head on her paws.

The whir and hum of the air-conditioning stirs the silence around me as I enjoy the peace and quiet of the Eye of the Hurricane.

Not Ike, but my own personal hurricane.

The past few weeks were a maelstrom of activity – Back to School for Jamey, his senior year, a flurry of shopping and packing for Jenna in preparation for her move back to Evanston, nightly treks to Driver’s Ed with Jamey (twenty-five minutes one-way: an hour and twenty minutes of driving every night), re-enlistment, viola auditions, 9-11 memorial ceremonies, TAD rehearsals, Tour music preparations, and not nearly enough sleep.

Jenna and John took off for Evanston this morning. Amazingly, the ever-growing pile of items going to Evanston fit in the back of John’s vehicle. There was even a little room for more (later explained by the forgotten items I will now be carrying on the bus until the Band arrives in Evanston).

Jamey and I spent the day catching up on chores, homework, and driving practice before I dropped him at the mall to meet friends. From there they will head to a Guys Gaming Sleepover (right, like sleep will happen), where they will likely Halo themselves into the wee hours.

So now I sit and enjoy the eye of my own personal hurricane - because, like any hurricane, there is more storm activity to follow. Monday I start rehearsing with my TAD quintet, on Tuesday Tour Rehearsals begin. Jamey continues with Driver’s Ed (while I continue Mom’s Taxi Service) and his scheduled driving with the instructor. We have to squeeze in Senior Photos, school clothes shopping, hair appointments, various medical appointments, John’s business trips (Government Fiscal Year ends this month), baby showers, Tour Shopping, food preparation for the freezer, the Big Pre-Tour Commissary Run (which maybe won’t be so big this year), and the list goes on…and on…

I should use this time to knock a few items off the lengthening list, but everyone needs a little Me Time now and then. For now, I’ll just curl up in the corner of the couch and enjoy the calm before the storm.