Peaceful Days

Image by RÜŞTÜ BOZKUŞ from Pixabay

It was a sunny Sunday afternoon in late November. James was sitting on the front porch of his small house, relaxing in a rocking chair with a glass of iced tea. He looked out at the quiet neighborhood street, watching the occasional car drive by. The leaves on the trees were starting to change color and fall as autumn crept in.

James' dog Bailey was lying at his feet, dozing off. The old hound had been James' companion for nearly 15 years, ever since James was a young boy. Now Bailey's muzzle was grey and he slept most of the day away, but James loved him as much as ever.

The two of them spent most Sunday afternoons like this, relaxing together. James' wife Karen was inside folding laundry and his two teenage kids were off doing their own things with friends. James cherished these quiet moments.

As he rocked back and forth, James thought about the week ahead. He was an accountant at a local accounting firm and tax season would be starting soon. That meant long hours at the office getting customers' taxes ready to file. James didn't mind though, he enjoyed the sense of accomplishment he felt when he finished an intricate return.

He took another sip of tea as a red leaf detached from a tree branch overhead and fluttered down in front of him. Bailey's ears perked up at the motion before relaxing again. James smiled and patted the old dog.

"Nothing to worry about, just a leaf falling," James said softly. Bailey responded with a contented grunt.

James knew that relatively soon, probably in the next year or two, he would have to say goodbye to his faithful companion. But he tried not to dwell on that fact too much. For now he was grateful for peaceful Sundays together like this one. There would be time enough for sadness when the day came.

James set his empty glass down on the porch railing and closed his eyes, still rocking slowly back and forth. He thought about taking Bailey for a walk around the block soon, before it got too chilly out. But for now he was happy to just sit a while longer with the sun warming his face on this quiet November afternoon.