Onomatopoeia is the formation of a word from a sound associated with what is named. In other words, an onomatopoeia looks like the sound it makes and we can almost hear those sounds as we read the word, for example, slam, gurgle, mumble, or splash are good examples.
Today I am thinking of longing. Longing is not an onomatopoeia in the strict sense of the word, but it is close in my books. To say I long for something instills in my soul that yawning feel of desire. These days of isolation have left me longing for the companionship of my beloved. So much alone time stirs up an emptiness in my heart, and even though he has been dead for over two years, 30 months to be exact, I still feel his presence in every room of the house. I miss him constantly and these days of being alone have left me longing for his presence.
I also long for levity and mirth. I would like to laugh until tears roll down my cheeks. There is not much to laugh about these days and I am missing that unbridled hilarity that comes in times with family and friends.
I am longing for beauty. I go outside everyday and look at my hyacinths because they are so gorgeous with their rich colours of mauve and purple and pink. Their intoxicating fragrance fills the air around them. The greening of grass dazzles my sight and I long for more colour, more fragrance, more beauty.
I long for gathering. During this time of isolation a friend has died. I wept without reserve because I had not seen her one last time. I long for the opportunity to be with her family, with our friends, to remember and mourn together and to say words of gratitude for all she meant to me.
I long to sing with others. All the youtube videos of people singing from their homes are a great balm but it is not the same as singing together with others. There is nothing like the collection of many voices making harmony together. I long to be back with the congregation singing one of the great hymns of the faith.
I long to eat out in a bustling busy restaurant. Having a delicious plate of food laid before me. I long for spirited conversation at that table as we enjoy a meal someone else cooked while greeting acquaintances at a neighbouring table.
And believe it or not, I long to wake up in the morning and have somewhere to go with a full agenda of things that need to be tended to, to know what day of the week it is by the activity scheduled.
This season of ‘sheltering in’ will come to pass eventually and then, no doubt, I will complain about being too busy and not having enough time, but for now I sit with this time to reflect on what I have, what I have known and what I long for.
What are you longing for these days?
