Peace and Quiet

My eyes opened to the sunlight shining through my window. I crawled out of bed and pulled on a pair of jeans and my favorite baby blue, cowl neck sweater. I pulled my long, brown hair into a pony tail. Shooing my golden retriever, Oriana, off my bed, I quickly made it. I then headed to the kitchen to make a pot of coffee. The house was quiet, as it was only seven thirty, and everyone else was still asleep. While the coffee was brewing, I fed Oriana the wet food that she got every morning.

The birds were chirping as I walked out onto the patio, coffee in hand. Oriana dashed out when I opened the door, and was busy chasing the birds that scattered the lawn. I sat on the porch swing, tucking my feet underneath me. Sipping my coffee, I smiled at the peacefulness of the moment.

With an older brother and three younger sisters, things could get hectic at my house. It was rare that I got any time to myself. On the off chance that I did, I cherished it. I used the time alone to think. To think about my friends and family; about everything that touched my life or that I felt strongly about.

My parents had worked hard to give us the wonderful home we had. Even though we didn’t always have the money to do the things we wanted, like go to the movies all the time, or go waste fifty bucks at the mall, we always had a nice house, good cloths, and great food on the table. Despite the fact that the both worked full time, my parents made sure that our homework was done every night.

For as long as I can remember, we always had ‘family time’. Every Sunday we would end the weekend by doing something as a family. Sometimes we would go out to movie. Other times we would sit home and watch a movie. However, the days I love the most are when we sit home and play board games. We have a whole closet full of them that we have collected over the years. Yet, no matter what we did, we always had a big dinner that my dad and I would spend hours making.

Things hadn’t always been so hectic. When it was just my brother, Michael, my parents, and I, life seemed to be easier. Of course, I was a lot younger at the time. Then, eight years ago, the twins were born and things got crazy. I was only eight when they were born, so I wasn’t completely sure how much my life would change. Then, three years later, Melissa was born. By then, I was old enough to help around the house more. That also gave Michael more time for himself.

Now I am sixteen, and it still amazes me how most of my friends hate to spend time with their family. I can’t relate, because I love my family. They are the most important part of my life. My friends all think I am crazy for spending so much time with them, but I think they are crazy for not spending enough time with theirs. I have always felt that family was the most important thing for a person. Friends don’t always last, but family is always there.

I silently laughed as I watched Oriana happily chase a squirrel up the old oak tree in our yard. She looked up at the squirrl,her barking never ceasing.I had gotten her for my sixth birthday. Now, ten years later, Oriana was still as healthy as ever. She was playful too. Her favorite thing to do would be to play fetch. I would sit outside and play with her for hours. Sometimes we would chase each other around the yard until we were both too tired to walk. Then I would fall to the ground and she would lick my face.

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. The morning smells were wonderful. The sounds of the birds chirping and the breeze rustling the leaves were calm. The autumn morning was so blissfully serene. I never wanted the moment to end.

“Don’t pull me hair!”

“Give me back my sweatshirt!”

“It’s my sweatshirt, not yours!”

I was jolted out of my peaceful state of mind by the screaming of my sisters. Shaking my head, I got up and went back into the house. “Sarah! Rachel! Knock it off!” I said, placing my empty mug on the counter.

“She pulled my hair!” Sarah said, pointing an accusing finger at Rachel.

“She took my sweatshirt!” Rachel said, mimicking Sarah’s actions.

“Give me the sweatshirt,” I said, taking it from Sarah. I motioned for them to follow me and went into the room that they shared. I hung the purple sweatshirt and took out a red one and blue one, knowing full well they were going to argue. I then handed the red sweatshirt to Sarah and the blue to Rachel.

“But I wanted to wear purple!” the said at the same time.

“Red and blue make purple, deal with it!” I said, putting my hand on my hip. They both opened their mouths to argue with me, but I gave them a stern look and they quickly closed their mouths.

“Michelle, I’m hungry,” I heard a soft voice say.

I looked past Sarah and Rachel to see Melissa standing in the doorway rubbing her eyes. “Okay, let’s go get some breakfast,” I smiled at her.

We went into the kitchen where I placed her in her booster seat. I then poured all three of them cereal. I grabbed my mug and washed it. Sarah and Rachel continued to bicker as they ate their breakfast. Standing over the sink, I watched as Oriana sniffed around the yard and found a quiet place in the sun to curl up and take one of many of her morning naps. “Peace and quiet? Not in this house” I silently laughed to myself.