I don’t think I’ve truly understood the meaning of the word “play.” Somehow I ended up quite serious and not very playful; my response to a dose of parental judgment, I suspect. But today, a new meaning of play opened for me–in the sense of the play of Leila.

This whole show is play! Serious play, torturous play, lighthearted play–every possible kind.

It looks like we are moving again–but only nine miles this time. We’re returning to the town we left twenty-one years ago; it’s a true community, and a sweet place to age. The whole unfolding seems like play–from the moment my husband found the house and mentioned it to me while I was on retreat, to today, when our offer, below asking price, was accepted without a murmur. The little town we are moving to is highly popular, and very few homes are available–so few, that most sellers are enjoying multiple offers. This particular house sat on the market for a week before we saw it, yet ours was the only offer–very lucky news in this market. We’ve seen sales go for 20-40% over asking price when there are five to ten people vying for the same home. And like any sale, this one could fall apart–over inspections, for example. We’ll know more a week from today.

So how to hold this? Lightly! Playfully! Remembering to breathe evenly and not leap into a mental future, so I can greet each moment as it unfolds. Life will be even busier for the next few months, but I’d love to walk through this time without narrowing my focus. Instead, I’d like to keep the inner lens wide open, noticing everything that shows up. My field of activities may need to narrow–yes–but not my openness within them.

After all, my true home is not a physical space.

© Amrita Skye Blaine, 2013
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