Devonne Brown

Tonight. I am company. I tread lightly in my extended family’s home. I am a guest. I am on good behavior. I tell and listen to the telling from children with wide ears, eyes, and smiles. I am more polite than usual. 

I have helped the eldest son get an A on an English paper, I am special. Ha!

With grace they allow me to write because it is important to me. It is most important to me, I am respected for it and given a special place to do it away from the children, dogs, and dishes. My son entertains the crowd. He is happy to do it. He loves to talk and express himself. He needs to get away and be entertaining. He needs to socialize beyond me. Our world is too closed.

Company is given special privileges when they are in my home as well. Whatever they need I provide. I provide a comfortable respite for my guests, just as I have been provided for this weekend. I cook special food, I provide special drinks, we go to special places, and talk of  special things. Company means something. 

Cherished guests are company. I feel cherished, but I am ready to go home tomorrow to be in my space. To turn the homes of those I have visited back over to them. I am thankful for the treatment I have received and am blessed with the love of my relatives. Truly my aunt has welcomed me and her daughter’s family were glad to see my son and I. 

I also cherish the time my aunt comes to visit me and spend all the time she wants in my home, dog and all. Norris, my cat  doesn’t even mind her dog even though he pounds on his head every once in a while to remind him who owns the house. 

I remember years ago, company would come to the house on a regular basis. We had visitors all the time. People would stop by in the evening to visit with Dad and sit on the breezeway, smoke a cigarette, drink a cup of coffee together, laugh a bit and take their leave. Mom had friends who’d come to visit as well. Company came to the house and lifted our spirits. They’d play cards sometimes for a few hours and laugh together. Their children would come to play with my sister and I. 

Company is rare these days. People are too busy with their own lives to get involved with other folks. Everyone stays in their houses and avoids contact with each other as much as possible. The world has gone lonely and dark. 

Company, tread light

Be ever so polite and

Cherish our loved ones