The Sound of Silence

If you are a mom you know that silent moments are few and far between. It's something that becomes increasingly frustrating when you are trying to learn something new.  This week I am learning about Aristotle.  I never learned about him before - I think I was taking punch-card class in high school.  It was the late 70's - who needs philosophers when you could have office skills!

I was reading a passage that goes something like this: "And yet they say their attention to matters outside the subject; for the arousing of prejudice, compassion, anger, and similar emotions have no connexion with the pattern in hand..."  I was just starting to wonder two things...what does this mean and why did we change how we spell connection when my door slammed open -

My daughter "Mom do you think it would be okay if I wore three ponytails tomorrow because it is dress like your favorite animal day and I want to be a unicorn."

Me - "sure honey.  Mom's trying to read right now" 

"Do you think I could use your hairspray and we could make the horn really big?  Jennifer Wilson's sister, Rachel did that last year and it looked really cool.  I think we could..."

I hold up my book and flip through the pictureless pages for her to see.

"Oh, sorry mom" Door shuts. 

Continue reading, " For all men either think that all the laws ought so to prescribe, or in fact carry..."

Door opens, #1 son enters, "Can you tell her that a unicorn is not a real animal and she is going to get a bad grade on her animal assignment and then she is going to have to go to summer school. She's gonna have to work at Taco World her whole life just because she didn't pick a REAL animal."  Background noise, "IT IS SO AN ANIMAL!!!"

"I'm reading.  Be nice to your sister" Door shuts.

Continue reading: "...because it is easier to find one or few men of good sense"

Door opens, husband "Have you seen the right lid for this bowl.  I used this one but it leaks and I don't understand why we can't just keep the lids with the right bowls.  I mean is it THAT hard?  You use them in pairs, why can't they be put away in pairs?"

"Yes honey it is one of lifes great mysteries-- right up there with socks. I'll find it when I get done."

"Oh, are you doing homework? Sorry." door shuts (background yell) "You kids hold it down, your mom is trying to do homework!"

This went on for several more paragraphs and 45 minutes more with interruptions including my other son, (have I seen his toothbrush?) three of the four dogs scratching on the door for dog cookies, and a phone call inquiring if I had any items to donate.  No, they do not take family members or pets...

Maybe it would be better to meet up with Aristotle in the library.  Just me, him, and the beautiful sound of silence.

 

 

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