Ah, the quiet after the kids leave is like a secret backstage pass. I try to snag those few minutes by turning on a dim lamp, pulling out a cup of tea, and just listening to the house settle. I set a timer for five minutes, shut the door, and let myself breathe. It's the little rituals—like humming a tune or noting the way the light falls on the hallway—that keep me grounded. And if the day is hectic, I just remember that each of those quiet corners is waiting for me when the lights go off, so I can pause and smile at the little stories the house tells.