The Sunrise
We visited with my great aunt and uncle a couple of weeks ago. My uncle told me a story about one of my cousins and within the story he mentioned that this cousin wakes up every morning in time to see the sun rise. For whatever reason, that stuck with me and I decided to follow my cousin’s lead this morning. I got up before everyone (I usually do) but instead of rushing to get breakfast ready, get dressed, or run through my to-do list for the day—and let’s be honest there are plenty of to-do’s—I grabbed my robe, made a cup of coffee and went outside. The birds were chirping. The trees were swaying in the cool morning air. My dog even decided to join me and lay at my feet. As I waited for the sun to creep over the house, I smiled as I thought about witnessing nature's morning dance. A performance only granted to those who wake up early enough and slow down long enough to capture it.
I recently took the kids to the Dollar Tree and let them pick out treasures to create a fairy garden by our big tree and an old-fashioned lilac bush. It’s the perfect spot in our yard for imaginations to run wild with large Hosta plants sprouting all around. They each picked mushroom houses and miniature gnomes, fairies, and flowers. Tucker put a gnome in front of an old birdhouse to “guard” it and Ella carefully placed a fairy in the hollow pocket of the tree. Cicely Mary Barker’s books are a great addition to the activity. I have one from my childhood, Flower Fairies of the Spring, and Ella has, Flower Fairies of the Winter. We read through these books after we created our garden and it’s been fun to watch them go up to the tree and play. This area is the perfect place to view from the patio. As I sat outside this morning thinking about the memories made with the fairies, the wind ruffled my journal pages and the sun highlighted our rose bushes yet to bloom. I was overwhelmed with gratitude. All the highs and lows in my life brought me to this moment, watching the squirrels chase each other along the fence, awaiting the morning chaos and the BEST morning hugs. I understand why my cousin wants to catch the sunrise every morning. There is beauty in the stillness and solitude.
Along with the joy and excitement of what the day might bring, I challenge you to wake up in time to see the sunrise this weekend. Enjoy a moment to yourself. Let your thoughts wander to the fairies in the garden as you practice gratitude for the simple, peaceful moments.
“There will be a time when the only way out is up: When all you can do to carry on is fall to your knees and cry the ugly cry, to break your heart wide open for whatever is to come next.
There will also be a time when the world will be so beautiful that the only way to take it all in is to fling your arms wide open, lift your face toward the sun, and allow all the beauty that exists to be one with your soul.
Both moments will come. Trust that you will be better for each of them.”
-A Year of Positive Thinking by Cyndie Speigel.
