Rise & Shine

 

It’s like having my bed in the middle of a pet store.  I wake up every morning to the sounds of the jungle.  There are worse things, I suppose.   I just wonder what can all the birds be squawking about?  What’s so important?

If I were waking up in a bakery, I expect it would be the wonderful aromas causing me to rise, as if it were me who was full of yeast.  If it was an autobody shop, the harsh hammering of sheet metal would startle me awake.  Then again, should my bed be in the supermarket, it would be the loud, squeaky brakes on the delivery truck so early in the morning, or in the city it might be yelling, horns honking or sirens rushing to some emergency.

For many years, all throughout my working life, I woke up every morning to a very annoying and intrusive alarm clock.  It was never a pleasant way to begin the day.  The technology was not yet available that gave us options of waking up to different sounds, music or the sound of reindeer hoofs on the roof.  All I had was the harsh clang, clang, clang that had to be within reach, so it could be shut off.

Now, with my working life behind me, the neighborhood birds have assumed the responsibility of getting me out of bed in the morning.  The thing is, they start their day hours before any normal person.  They are not comprehending how comfy it is laying on this mattress, beneath these toasty blankets.  If they did, I’m sure they’d let me sleep a little longer.

I think entering a new day should be a joyful experience.  Neither of you have ever met before, it should be a peaceful, non-threatening and relaxing event.

You slowly open your eyes, maybe blink a few times, adjusting to the light, and then look around.  Is there morning dew on the lawn, has it rained overnight?  Or maybe it’s winter and there is a fresh blanket of snow on the ground.  Maybe a line of footprints from passing deer, or scrape marks on the snow left from a bunny rabbit.

Once you have your bearings, you make your way to the coffee pot, adding a little warmth and familiar aroma to your surroundings.  Then, and only then, should the neighborhood birds announce their version of “Rise and Shine”.

I recall that for the longest time we thought the name of the dog across the street was, Shut-up Rocky.  The paperboy would deliver his news early every morning and Shut-up Rocky would see him and proceed to wake up the entire neighborhood with his announcement that the paper had arrived.   I never did understand why a dog enjoyed the news so much.  It wasn’t like it was ever good news.