Silence is Golden

"Dad?"

"Dad? Are you.. ..there?

"Daaaad?? Where are you??"

"I'm right here, Bill. Didn't I say I'd be right back?"

"Yes, but-"

"Yes, but nothing, Bill. Since when have I lied to you?"

"Bill? Since when have I lied to you?"

"Never."

"All right, then."

"It's just that-"

"It's just nothing, son."

"But, Daaaad-"

"Be still. No more whining. It's time to go."

"Yes, Dad."

"Dad?"

"Yes, Bill?"

"I'm sorry for whining."

"I accept your apology."

"Um, Dad?"

"What, son?"

"Where are we going today?"

"I need new teeth for the mower conditioner. The shop in Unity has some in stock. I called this morning. I thought you might like to ride along. Would you?"

"Yes, I would! I like going on rides with you, Dad."

"I'm pleased, Bill. Let's see how many unusual words we can find today, shall we?"

"And how many similar words we can think of?"

"Sure, son. We can do that, too. And we can ride in silence. Have you ever heard the saying that 'silence is golden'?"

"I have, but what does it mean, Dad?"

"What do you think it means, son?"

"Well, Dad, on the face of it, 'silence is golden' sounds like silence is like a precious metal. Is it really that simple?"

"Consider your daily life, Bill. What do you hear in it?"

"Let's see. I hear everyone getting up in the morning, talking, getting ready for school or work, showering, eating breakfast, and all that. It's pretty noisy. On school days, when I get on the bus, the other kids are talking over the engine and road sounds, I'm laughing and chatting with my friends, and when we get to school, it really isn't any different. There are noises all day long. Really, Dad, I don't get peace and quiet until I go to sleep! And it's not much different during vacations, although there are some moments on those days when it's a bit quieter."

"Okay, Bill, having considered all that, what do you think now of the saying, 'silence is golden'?"

"Hmm. Did my silence just now tell you, Dad? Hee hee hee."

"Son, some people become very nervous during silence, and they feel compelled to fill it up with talking. Other people have learned to allow silence, and they enjoy one another's company without talking. In the book of James, we learn that we should be quick to listen and slow to speak. One of the best ways to be quick to listen is to be silent, don't you think?"

"Yessir. Um, Dad?"

"Yes, son?"

"Are you saying that you don't want me to talk today?"

"Hahahahaha! No, son. Not at all! However, if we both stop talking at some point and don't have anything to say for a time, don't be afraid to let the silence lie there for a while."

"Oh, okay."

"What made you afraid that I wasn't coming back for you earlier?"

"I had a bad dream last night. It seemed so real that I couldn't tell if it was just a dream or not."

"Tell me about the dream."

"We had gone to the woods to cut firewood. At some point, you sent me to move some brush from a treetop, and while I was doing that, you and Dan left and went back to the house for some reason. I got turned around and lost my way. You didn't come back for me, and then coyotes came and started closing in around me. They looked mangy, so I knew I couldn't scare them away. I yelled and yelled for you, but you still didn't come. When I woke up, I was still scared and couldn't tell if it was a bad memory or a dream. It just seemed very real."

"Hmm. That would be very troubling. Have I ever forgotten you?"

"That one time at church. You all left and I was still there, and you had to come back and get me."

"Oh! I had forgotten about that. I'm sorry about that, Bill. Perhaps you were thinking about that when you went to bed last night?"

"I might have. Well, anyway, thank you for your apology, Dad. I accept it."

"You're welcome, son. Is there any other reason you were worried this morning?"

"No, I think that was it."

"Mm-hmm. Well, I'm glad you told me about it. I don't think your brother and I would leave you in the woods like that, but we'll be sure to keep you in mind when we have to leave next time."

"Thanks, Dad."

"You're welcome! Besides, your brother cares so much about you, I can't see him ever forgetting you or leaving you behind. He's very protective of you."

"Hee hee hee. He certainly is. Oh, there's the parts store! This part of the trip went very quickly. Do you mind if I stay in the car while you go talk to the salesmen?"

"Not at all, son. I should be just a few minutes."

"Did you get what you needed, Dad?"

"A whole box of teeth. And they were on sale, 40% off!"

"That's great!"

"It certainly is. Interested in some lunch on our way home? I think there's a DQ in Belfast, which is a little out of our way, but their grill makes good burgers and sandwiches."

"Sounds yummy."

"And here we are, son. Any thoughts to share? You were very quiet on the road here."

"No, not really. It just seemed like a good time to enjoy some golden silence and the beautiful countryside."

"Hmmm...indeed. Well, let's place our drive-thru order and be on our way. Your mother expects us home before dinner."

"I'd like a cheeseburger, fries, and a rootbeer, please, Dad."

"That sounds like a good choice. I'll get the same."

"Okay, Dad, as we drive home, I want to try that word game with you again. You know, the one where we say that I wound the wire and got a wound?"

"Or I read the book you said I couldn't read?"

"Hee hee. Yes, and with tears in my eyes, I see tears in my shirt."

"Good one, Bill. Hmm. We'll house the chickens next to the house. Do you have another one?"

"I'm wracking my brain, but I've hit a dead end. I think I'll just eat my food for now."

"That's a good idea. Ha ha. We can play later, if we choose."

"This one's not quite the same, Dad, but how about: I'll dice the tomatoes and play Yahtzee with dice?"

"Okay, I see what you did there. Let's see.. I'll slice the bread and hit a slice on my next golf swing."

"I'm wearing a Tee as I tee up the ball, Dad."

"And you're at the club, swinging, while you're swinging the club."

"Hee hee hee." "Hahahahaha."

"That's funny, Dad!"

"Thanks, Bill!"

"You win, Dad. That one takes the cake. How much further to home?"

"We have about forty minutes to go, son. Let's enjoy some more of that golden silence."

"I agree, Dad."