MY SHORT HOLIDAY

It's so easy to get so busy with our own lives and forget to stay in touch with family and friends. My younger brother only lives about an hour or two away from me and I've been that close for 3 months and just now took a drive down to see him. We had a lovely visit. He lives with a girlfriend and 2 dogs. One is a big dog and the other is small. But where he used to be a string bean he's gained too much weight. Since he has a bad heart and other health problems this is not good. His girlfriend has health problems too.
They both finally got their disability so money is not a stress point now, just their health. They've been able to buy a better vehicle to get around in too.
He was surprised to see me pop in. But he was happy to see me and I stayed for 3 days to visit. I am going to make it a point to visit at least once a month weather permitting.
His girlfriend is a great cook and I took full advantage of that. I'm so used to existing on quick things like cereal, entrees and sandwiches. I made it a point to do the dishes for her the whole time I was there. She's says to come back anytime.........she likes having an in house dishwasher...LOL.
But peace and quiet was a bit elusive there. Too many people popping in and out all day. It quieted down in the evening though. I got to sleep in a comfortable double bed instead of a bunk made for small people who don't weigh more than 50 pounds. And I got to sleep till I wanted to get up because it was so quiet earlier in the day.
The ride down was nice too. Monday must have been Amish Market Day because I saw a lot of buggies with them and boxed up fruit along the way. There are 3 small towns that have a big Amish population. I saw the cutest little boy about 3 in one of the buggies. He was dressed the Amish way complete with the little straw hat perched on his head.
I can't imagine traveling the distances they did to get that fruit to where they were taking it. The speed limiton the road was 55 and cars were whizzing by in both directions. I made it a point to slow down when passing a buggy and when driving by one going in the opposite direction. Must have been the right thing to do because one of the Amish men raised his hand to me to say thank you for not spooking his horse by flying by.
It must be a wonderful thing to be able to live in the world but not be of the world. They don't depend on modern conveniences for making life easier or entertainmment. Their religion is what it is...........it either is or isn't the right thing to do or think. No gray areas.....simply black or white. Shunning is to be feared because unless you admit to the wrongdoing in front of the whole comunnity and ask for forgiveness you are neither seen, heard or spoken to by any member of the community. I can't imagine that kind of isolation day after day.
They live a simple life within a supportive community whose members understand each other.
I did have the opportunity to interact with the Amish one evening at my hotel while I was on the front desk. An older Amish man came in to rent two rooms for the night. He spoke only as necessary. When the rest of his party came in they walked through the lobby quietly, not looking to the right or left. They arrived in a van with a driver that was not Amish.
I'm not curious about them, but they do make me wonder how they can exist in a world that seems to have gone mad with wars, greed, murder and mayhem. I think I envy them.