The walls of the quiet room are blue because Angela convinced everyone that blue was a relaxing color. The walls are covered with family pictures, Cameron’s soccer awards, David’s art, Destiny’s childhood drawings and Angela’s high school and college diplomas.
It was Angela’s idea to have a quiet room. Sometimes kids just need a place where they can get away from life and just be still. It’s nice to have a place where you can just be quiet, where you can think without interruptions, and where no one talks to you.
When Cameron comes to the quiet room, he likes to play classical music and sit cross-legged on the floor. He just sits and thinks about anything except for what’s bothering him. If he’s angry, sitting and thinking helps take the edge off his anger.
David comes to the quiet room to draw. He draws the people who pass under his window while listening to Destiny catch him up on her day. Destiny’s voice blocks out all other distractions, and for that, David is grateful.
Destiny only comes to the quiet room when David is there. Being only seven-years-old, she is not often quiet, but she enjoys spending time with her big brother.
Angela used to use the quiet room a lot. Whenever she had a problem, she and her dad would come up and talk about it. But Angela has grown up and moved away. Soon, Cameron will leave for college, and then David.
When Destiny is older, she, too, will appreciate the quiet room. One by one, all of the kids will grow up and leave. The family pictures will be joined by pictures of grandchildren.
One person will still come to the quiet room when the kids are gone. Dad will come here to the kids’ special place, and here he will pray for each of his kids. He will pray for Angela and her family, and for Cameron was he finds his away in the world. He will pray for David and his art, and for Destiny, that she will be a shining light unto the world. He will also pray for everyone who passes under the window. David use to do this. He used to pray for every person he drew. He still does.
In the quiet room, four kids children have a place to leave their troubles. In the quiet room, four kids can get away from the world for a while.
________________________________________________________________________
