Toad went to Frog’s house. He found a note on the door. The note said, “Dear Toad, I am not at home. I went out. I want to be alone.
(“Alone” from Days with Frog and Toad)
Being alone is not to be confused with being lonely. Being alone can be a rare pleasure; an oasis of thought and reflection, of beginning and ending sentences…or not to, if you so choose. To be alone is an art. It is sometimes a luxury. It is often-times a discipline. It is always truthful.
No matter how many friends you have, or don’t have; regardless of length of time or depth of confidences, there is still the joy of being alone. I suppose that we are never truly alone because we are not our own. God relieves the lonely from the being alone; He is always near, always with us.
I don’t know, but sometimes I think that we can often feel the loneliest when we are surrounded with the greatest number of people, and feel most full when surrounded by an audience of just One.
Cherish being alone–whether it be in physically getting away for a time, or in thoughts that find no immediate companion or empathy. A great many considerations of gladness can be had in being alone if you seek it as such.
“But Toad,” said Frog.
“I am happy. I am very happy. This morning when I woke up I felt good because the sun was shining. I felt good because I was a frog. And I felt good because I have you for a friend. I wanted to be alone. I wanted to think about ho fine everything is.”
“Oh,” said Toad. “I guess that is a very good reason for wanting to be alone.”
…Frog and Toad stayed on the island all afternoon. They ate wet sandwiches without iced tea. They were two close friends sitting alone together.
(“Alone” from Days with Frog and Toad)
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As a mother , and home schooler, to 5 very active children, ALONE is my dream some times. Beautifully written.
Janelle- we have the same life!
Lovely! I remember that story; either I was reading to you or to your Di-Di, or maybe was reading to my grandchildren.
I love that concept……..as well as your insight.
This was beautifully written. If I may be so bold as to put a different spin on it (I suppose somewhat of a confession.), I love to be alone almost too much. In fact, if I’m not careful, it can become a sin issue with me.; a selfishness with MY time.
I’d much rather look at it/live it from your beautiful perspective
Michelle– what a candid and genuine observation! I completely see the possibility of making an idol of one’s “alone” space. I personally err on the side of fearing alone-ness at times, rather than embracing it as a beneficial state of being. I long to have alone-time for running errands and for reading, but truly being alone is not always pleasant to my natural man.
lovely entry. very heartwarming and caring. I like to be alone and reflect. I also love to just stand at my door and watch the rain with a cup of tea by myself… its calming.
One of the hardest things for me in this stage of motherhood is that I so very rarely get to be alone. I think that’s why I rise before dawn most days… to savor the silence.