Friday, it’s my day off and as it happens it’s Good Friday. It is not however my husband’s day off, just a factor of the industry he works in. So around 6:00 am-ish one side of the bed feels empty and by 6:30 he is off to work, but I am having a lovely dream, so I snuggle in.
It is now that the dog decides it is time for someone else to keep him company downstairs. I have tried to discuss with him that Thursday I will meet him at 5:30 … but Fridays .. we sleep in.
He has failed to recognize this schedule and instead decides to gently nudge me out of a restful sleep with a series of heart wrenching yelps for rescue. I try desperately to ignore him for about twenty more minutes, but seeing that he is rather large (and persistent) it is probably best to see if maybe, he actually does need out AT THIS VERY MINUTE!!
Yesterday was a rather hard work day, both physically grueling and on my allergies. As a result both hands are completely numb, and my right hand is firmly locked down. My throat is sore and my sinuses full. So I am a little less than chipper on being disturbed from my cozy nest.
I drag myself down the stairs, let the dog out and instantly the cat is barging into my legs and meowing for his breakfast. I gruffly tell him he can wait, I am not in the mood! I am so stuffed, and achy, my throat pains and I start to wonder if maybe I’ve picked up something that’s been going around. I head for my allergy spray, in hopes that this clears.
I am currently the morning Grinch.
However, my boy Ted, is such a lovely fellow that by the time he has been out and back in and he settles down at my feet to rest, with a wonderfully large sigh, my heart smiles and he is completely forgiven.
The cat too, has taken my tone seriously and after kneading a fluffy tummy for comfort, is cozily curled up with his elephant. (A story for another day… it may sound implausible, but this is who he loves)
Morning has properly broken, my coffee is ready and I settle in to my favourite spot, my chair by the window, with a good book. Outside the sun is shining.
Looking up, I can see from the piano John Lennon, Super Grover and the Buddha are all smiling rather serenely at me as I read.
Mrs. Cardinal hasn’t been tapping yet this morning, but a sudden flutter in the crab apple tree catches my eye. I look up to see a Robin hopping the branches and resting right beside me.
I stop to observe her, and just to take this in. This may sound silly, but I am awed by even this brief moment. It is common by this time of spring to see many robins, after the cold of winter they prove to be our first signs of hope and a really welcome sight. Usually they are spotted on the lawn, or in the garden searching out worms. This robin however has hopped into the crab apple and perched beside me for a few minutes of close observation (both hers and mine) and grateful visitation.
It may sound kind of simple or uneventful, but to me it feels rather profound and while we look each other over, this gives me a very good reason to smile.
I continue with my reading. My sinuses finally and thankfully start to clear a little, and Mrs. Cardinal, right on time, sets in to tapping at the window beside me.
Again I look up to smile, we both say our Good Mornings and it is now it seems I have set my intention for the day.
to kindness,
to close observation,
and
to grateful visitation
so
I go
smiling
into the
sunshine
of a rather
beautiful day ♥