As a child, I watched Mama’s family with my grandma and I loved the opening credits when the trombones of the song played, as it zoomed in on the white porch at the front of the house. I think the opening song and visual paralleled my grandma’s two story home with a simple front porch. I also think of my Gilmore Girls tv binge watching stage and the wrap around porch of Lorelai’s house. Porches…places that seemed to be a source of comfort, along with being a welcoming gathering spot.

Sitting on our porches is something I like to do. For a period of time, we couldn’t use our sunporch. Recently, our sun porch had to be remodeled due to some structural issues. I was not pleased that our quiet place was unable to be used for seven months due to construction and weather delays. It was throughout that time, I decided we are going to start using the front porch. We live in the woods and it is peaceful with the trees towering and nature surrounding our home. I became used to a habit of sitting in one place and forgetting the beauty in the surrounding areas.

While retreating to my new quiet space in the front, I sat listening to the birds. Deer would creep out from the brush and walk serenely past the tall trees. Our rocking chairs would creak as I sat peering across the way sitting still and just being present. There were times I would bring the embroidery project I was working on and stitch in the sunshine. My perspective changed while (impatiently at times) waiting for my go to retreat sunporch was being redone. I thought as I sat on the front porch of the beauty in a different area, while appreciating the simple things…the birds singing and the flowers blooming.

Usually, I am on the go…with my job, kids and day to day life responsibilities. I try to carve out time to sit and be present, which is difficult to do when I am used to a fast pace. Sometimes I (and I think we all think) we need to do more and be more, when we are enough as we are in the present. Being present helps myself reflect on the joys, disappointments, the journey and the simple things.

When the pandemic occurred, our sun porch became the stopping point for what I called porch parties. My friends would stop by for talking time, while having tea and coffee. It made myself reflect on thinking how porches have been gathering places for years. I have seen photos of grandmas with their grandkids from years ago sorting vegetables from the garden. One photo I recall had people with lemonade and conversing. Sometimes I see people on their porches having quiet conversations.

I have a sign that says “Life is better on the porch.” Sometimes sitting and being present whether it is a porch, comfy chair or in a nook lets us refocus and just be present. I didn’t fully understand the meaning of that porch phrase until I realized: my thoughts become clearer, laughter abounds with friends, conversations bring comfort and encouragement…on the porch.