The Morning

The alarm rings at 5:45.  I resist the urge to push the snooze button a few dozen times and slowly drag my tired body from my warm, cozy spot in the bed.      

It is still dark outside.  The first rays of sunlight are just starting to peek over the horizon.  I make my way to the kitchen, fill the tea pot with water and put it on the stove to boil.  I grind some coffee beans and spoon it into the french press.  The smell rouses my senses and wakes me from the morning fog.

I get to work on my boy's breakfast: a toasted bagel sandwich with ham, eggs and cheese.  The water is boiling now so I fill the french press, give it a quick stir and allow the coffee to steep.  I pour a glass of orange juice and place it at my boy's seat at the kitchen table. I hear the sound of the shower turning on and know that the hubby is awake and is getting ready for another day at work.  

I make my way to the boy's room.  It is pitch black.  I open the curtains and soft morning light floods his room.  I turn on the light in his fish tank and watch as the fish swim close to the surface and eagerly wait for a sprinkling of food. 

I can hear my boy's slow, rhythmic breathing indicating that he is still fast asleep.  I wake him with words of, "Good morning.  I love you!  It's time to get up for school."  After several minutes he reluctantly crawls from his bed, a blanket dragging behind him as he makes his way to the kitchen table. 

This is my favorite time of day.  It is just the two of us in the kitchen and the world is still peaceful and quiet.  We chat about random things:  school, pocket knives, his favorite type of cheese, salamanders, music...  He shovels food into his mouth while I sip coffee and pack his lunch.  It's like the calm before the storm.

As soon as he finishes his breakfast, the magic ends.  He runs off to take a shower, brush his teeth and get dressed for school.  The harried pace of the morning kicks in and our leisurely breakfast morphs into calls of, "Hurry!  Put on your shoes!  It's time to go!" 

Before I know it, the house is empty.  The boy has been dropped off at school, the hubby has gone to work and my world becomes quiet once again.  I will savor the stillness, but in my heart I can't wait for the morning.

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I am linking up with Just Write today. Stop by Heather's blog to read other posts or add one of your own.