Lonely Front Porches.

I have been running in my neighborhood a lot, on these perfect, still, peaceful evenings. The wind dies down and the sun slants perfectly through the trees as if it is posing for a picture. The air smells fresh of lilacs and green grass and I wonder, where are all the people? It is evening, when most should be home from work, finished with dinner and I wonder what is with the phenomenon of empty front porches? What a perfect spot to grab a cup of coffee and sit with your husband or wife and talk about your day? Or grab a book or Bible and just enjoy the peace and quiet? It's the perfect spot to catch up with you best friend on the phone, or simply catch a quick cat nap on a hammock in the yard. It amazes me that while I run 3-4 miles around my neighborhood, it's not that only a few are out, it's that NO ONE is out on their front porch. They have this beautiful furniture, glorious flowers and landscaping in their yards, and yet what is it all for? I am close to sitting on each of their front porches, because they are lonely and are crying out for attention. They want to be enjoyed and relaxed in. If you have a front porch, GO... sit... people watch... bring a blanket... and your journal and a cup of tea or a glass of wine. Enjoy life. If I had a front porch, I would be out on it every night, and you are maybe thinking that life gets busy... I am well aware of busy, but in the past few years I have realized the importance of claiming those moments when you can choose to do or to be. I have been choosing to be a lot lately, it is so necessary for my emotional and mental sanity, and spiritual health. It calms my spirit and I center myself when I sit outside, lay down in the park and read a book, or take a long walk with a cup of coffee. I am sad for all the lonely front porches, and for the people who live in them who are so busy doing, they don't have time to be.