A Natural Beauty
Morning to me, is one of Mother Nature's most precious gifts and a "hidden treasure" that all too often goes unnoticed by so many.
...don't get me wrong...I too, was one of the "many" that let numerous mornings slip away into the afternoon sun.
I still remember the first time I witnessed this amazing natural phenomenon. I was about 15 years old and no stranger to being jarred awake by the noon chimes of my Mom's antique clock...and on various occasions having my brother's worried girlfriend hold a mirror under my nostrils to check for any signs of life.
On this particular day, I remember rolling over and peering through sleep crusted eyes at the most peculiar orange glow that seemed to fill my bedroom. It wasn't scary, as if some U.F.O's lights were invading the warm cocoon of my room...it was lovely...calming, yet somewhat inspiring! So much so, that I did something that I hadn't done in years...I ventured out from under my quilts before noon and looked out the window to investigate. The sight before me took me aback..." what the #%@* is that??!! ", I thought...it..it was a sunrise!!! A beautiful, early morning, actual sunrise!!
With that, I raced to the bathroom and quickly washed my face, brushed my teeth and threw on my clothes, then bounded down the stairs to the front door. I flung it open, took a deep breath and let the golden rays shower my face...I felt like a prisoner seeing the light of day after years of solitary confinement...I felt like Julie Andrews spinning with outstretched arms down a mountainside from " The Sound of Music "...I felt like running up the 72 steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art like Rocky Balboa...instead, I hopped on my 12 speed bike with the big horned sheep handle bars and rode out into the sunrise...I didn't know where I was going but I knew this was the right thing to do!
I pedaled along and took in the sights and smells of this glorious morning...I saw the landscape jeweled by millions of dewdrops, I saw birds and little critters busily beginning their day...the smell of fresh cut hay in the cool, crisp air was intoxicating.
When I got home, I went to the kitchen and quickly made myself a breakfast that would make any trucker proud. I also had toast with marmalade...I didn't like marmalade but this just seemed like the preserve that early risers would eat!
As I popped the last piece of toast in my mouth, I mentally made a list of everything that I was going to do on this monumental day! I would throw on some leg warmers and a headband and sweat it out with the girls on the " 20 Minute Workout "...I would cut the grass without my Dad threatening my well being...I would do this and more...and then suddenly as quickly as I was bolted awake, I fell fast asleep on the couch as I tried to remember where I last put my leg warmers...
That fateful morning was one that instilled in me such a passion for the dawning of a new day...
Each day I try to make a point of taking time to appreciate the silence of the morning which is as golden as the sun's rays itself and to breathe in all of the beauty that nature has to offer.