Senses on Saturday Episode 2

When I was in preschool and we were getting a bit rambunctious, our teacher would call a timeout in the air. Everyone instantly knew that they needed to return to their desks, close their eyes, calm themselves by breathing deeply and listen.

For a minute we would simply listen and remember everything that we heard. We would then take turns telling our class mates what our ears had picked up on. It was a mindful exercise I learned when I was only six utilizing only one of my senses. I still use it today, but I've expanded it to include all of them. Here's my senses experience from today.

As I closed my mouth, the first sensation hit me - warm. Sticky, sweet and almost syrupy. The texture filled my mouth and the treat seemed to dissolve into the rich foam like substance, the taste exploding onto my taste buds and sending "sugar high" endorphins into the receptors of my brain. Delicious. The cream melted like subtle snow and contrasted beautifully with the rest, melding into an even more divine experience. I swallowed. My first instinct was "I want more!" I picked up my spoon and sliced off another chunk, dipping it in the sauce before plunging it into my mouth with pure childlike delight. It had been a long time since I had this...I felt the longing drift away, the craving started to subside as the sugary taste did also.

I looked at my plate with great satisfaction and a smile while listening to the world around me.

Flagpoles flapping. K-ching. K-ching. K-ching.

Mumbled murmurs and distant laughter, the sunlight slowly flittering over my eyelids, warm as the dish had been just moments before. I could hear little children playing not that far away. Elevated shrill screeches that they sometimes let out while being chased around.

Another chunk made it's way into my mouth. The cream having melted slightly now running happily over my tongue.

Someone sat behind me and called out to a friend...a language I don't know.

Last bite. Ahhhh. Bliss. That was totally worth the 25 minute wait.

Sparrows on the table next door happily hoping I'd share the delectable morsels on my plate. They could have what was left over. Hop hop hop they bounced along to the plate and greedily took part in the feast. Their little beaks making little tapping noises against the stoneware plate. Feathers slightly bedraggled, they looked cold. I hoped the little bits would help to warm them up and fill their little tummies.

Shhhhhhhk - sugar running out into my coffee cup. Such a distinctive, but soft sound. I emptied another and felt the cold breeze whip itself up my pant legs, ripping at my skin and sending shivers up my arms.

Was that enough sugar? Sip. Warmth cascaded around my mouth in stark contrast to the icy air whirling round my legs. BRRRRR, baby it's cold outside! Wind picking up and draining all the warmth from the setting sun away. Shivvverrrrr. Clutching my cardigan tighter around me to brace the temperature. Soft, snug. I love this cardigan.

The warmest thing here was my heart. Filled with golden glowing sugary love for this taste experience, the reason my plate was now empty.

I felt content with the world, at one with everything around me and at peace even through the chill. I watched the sunset from here. Golden changing to orange and red, the sky fading to pastel hues of pink. A fiery sky. I steeled my resolve to get up and light my own to keep the warmth alive.