the old woman on the porch

The old woman sat alone on her porch staring into her coffee cup. She sees the children playing in the yard a few houses down and memories flood her mind. She remembers a time when she wished she had a few minutes of peace and quiet in the day. When there were not enough hours to finish the tasks before her. How she longs for a day so filled with the things that filled her life then. The music of childrens laughter and the sink full of dishes after that evening meal. It never occurred to her that those days would be gone so quickly and now she waits for those little ones now grown to find time to visit. She hopes the next phone call is not someone trying to sell her something and is someine wanting to actually hear what she might have to say. She prays the postman will actually bring a letter but not many people write anymore. She knows they are busy as she once was and wonders when life became so empty.