For the first time since 1981, I spend my days without children. After college, I taught, got married, went home and had five children, then returned to teaching. I drove a carload of kids to school and spent the day in the classroom before beginning countless after school activities.

But this year is different. A few months ago, the only school that my children had ever attended closed, my husband began a new job that allows him to work from home, and I became unemployed. Oh, and I celebrated my 50th birthday.

Michael and I try to get as much work as possible done during the day because in the afternoon, our front door seems to revolve, causing peace to quietly exit out the back. And that’s okay, too.

We are blessed to have our firstborn, Monique, living with us again. She teaches at Southeastern, enjoys photography and claims to be addicted to stress.

Geoffrey, our only son, is 24 and in his final year of Law School at Loyola. Although he lives at home, he seems to spend more time at his favorite place, the St. John Parish library.

Also living at home this year is Lauren, our 20-year-old Southeastern junior, who is majoring in fashion. If you don’t believe me, I’ll show you her closet.

Eighteen-year-old Elise is a freshman at Nicholls State. She lives on campus and says that the dorm is quieter than our home.  

Finally, there’s Victoria, a freshman at St. Charles Catholic. I am relieved to report that she is doing well. Socially, that is. Let’s not talk about Algebra.

While everyone is at school during the day, I am faced with a quiet house, and a husband who says, “Take a year off. Don’t work. Have fun.” The “when I have time” season that I’ve longed for is here.

You’ve probably heard of that season. You may have even delayed a few projects of your own just for that time and said, as I have, “When I have time, I’ll play the piano, put photos in albums and dust the top shelf of the bookcase.”

For me, the season has arrived, and it’s quieter than I imagined. So quiet that I can hear myself think. And I think that I hear the voices, the laughter and even the cries that these walls have absorbed. It’s a good time for reflection. A good time for writing. A good time.

Whatever season you’re in, I hope that it’s a great one. Enjoy it, focus on the good, let go of the bad, and make wonderful memories because another season is on the way.

Ronny may be reached at rmichel@rtconline.com.