listening in the silence

I have been away from home for a week today

Santino has been home...a day

what a difference a day makes
last night...his first night
was fitfull
fussy
frustrating for all

tonight is quiet
so peaceful and quiet

I have heard several kinds of silence this week

the language silence...the talking all around me that I hear
but that means nothing to me
it is as if I am deaf

most everyone after speaking will translate a little to me
out of courtesy and then apologize to ME for speaking such poor English
in English!?!?
I  thank them profusely and apologize to them for not speaking their language...at all

it was amazing though
when we were in the examining room
waiting for test results and talking about what procedures where going to happen
it was as if I understood everything!?!?

Then there's the night silence
the soft muffled talk that comes from the 'sleeping room'
no words understood
just warm resonant exchanges
a laugh
some sniffles and tears
restful snores

Then there is the greatest silence I have ever experienced
the awe of new life
the hush that comes over everyone present

and in it I hear...
the relief

the gratitude
the faith
the hope of the future
the joy
...the love