Almost a little bit in love
Six months ago, my daughter moved out and left a gap. But now I have a guest at home. Lately, young happiness has been living with me. In other words, happiness never really settles down, especially not when it's young. But let's say it visits so often that it's already part of the family. My son has had a girlfriend for a few months now.
The two of them spend a lot of time together, they fill the flat with the smell of their baking experiments, they make music in the room, they cook for me and learn and discuss and tease each other so much that it's a joy.
The rosy cheeks of the two of them are a sign of seemingly unclouded bliss, a contentment with themselves and with life. I try to remember what that was like, my own youth. Was I also so innocent, so blissful in love? Was I as good at it back then as the two of them?
You lose this ability somewhat. You get better at a lot of things over the years, but not necessarily in love; you approach everything less enthusiastically and more leisurely. Not so the two lovebirds in my house.
When it comes to love, they are not beginners, but world-class professionals. And their happiness is contagious. Not like Corona, where one look and you've got it. Their happiness is more subtle, more atmospheric, like a particularly beautiful bouquet of flowers that embellishes a room, a fire crackling in a corner.
I'm almost a little envious, because can you still feel so innocent at my age?
They enjoy their happiness and you also get the impression that they are maturing into young adults under the influence of this fire for each other. I almost feel a little envious, because at my age and after so many experiences of love, can you still feel so innocent? But then again, I'm almost a little enamoured of the situation myself. I inwardly congratulate my son on his choice. And also for his talent for happiness, because not everyone has that.
Last but not least, I also have a selfish motive. After my daughter moved out, the appearance of his girlfriend gave me hope of a new ally in the fight against chaos. It still has a retreat in my son's room and gathers its strength there to launch periodic campaigns of conquest on my flat.
At the moment, the two of them are so much in love that they don't take much notice of their surroundings.
My hopes are pinned on a tidying effect, which my girlfriend will also carry into his room - especially as I have been forbidden to go in there with cleaning cloths and a hoover. Unfortunately, my hopes have been dashed so far. Which again has to do with young happiness.
At the moment, the two of them are so enamoured that they are very oblivious to their surroundings. They have woven a cocoon around themselves and tidying up initiatives are probably at the bottom of their agenda. But who wants to be so petty when they can harbour joy in return? And yes, their happiness will not settle down permanently, it will become restless at some point and move on. But until then, they should enjoy it.
