Early mornings are my most cherished time of the day.
Yeah, I’m one of those people—an early morning riser. I know. You night owls, go ahead. It’s okay to roll your eyes. I honestly envy you, being able to stay up past 9:00 and sleep in past 7:00!
Other than the fact that my body physically refuses to sleep past dawn, there’s just something about those early morning hours that fills my cup.
It’s my time to breathe, to reflect and just BE STILL.
Sure, the morning hours are also for my daily walks with Sunny and the occasional morning workout.
But I also take time to just sit.
I’ve coined a little saying for our morning time together—I call them, “Sunrise Snuggles with Sunny.”
I cue up soft acoustic style music, sit on the couch, she curls up next to me with her head resting on my leg, her brown eyes glancing up at me ever so often, my thumb gently brushing across her soft ear while we enjoy the quiet morning space together for about 15 minutes before it’s time for me to get ready for work.
I find that both our walks in the dark, morning hours before the dawn, and our Sunny Sunrise Snuggle time result in powerful life reflections. I like to call these, my Rearview Mirror Moments.
This morning’s Rearview Mirror Moment had me thinking about Mom again.
It happened after I had left Sunny and was getting ready for work. I had changed the music to a 50’s Essential’s mix. I have an eclectic taste in music. I listen to all genres—classical, rap, jazz, country—I appreciate them all.
I had changed the music and the song, Que Sera Sera, by Jay Livingston, began to play.
This song immediately took me back.
My Mom used to sing this to me whenever I was having a bad day. Me, in my teenage years, lamenting about my youth problems. My Mom, older, wiser singing this song. See, not only was she singing due to its lesson, she was also singing it to be silly, singing the “Que Sera Sera” part in a way to make it sound like, “K, Sarah Sarah what will be will be”.
At the time, I was annoyed. I wanted her to go away. I’d roll my eyes, push her away, shut my door, embarrassed by my Mother’s singing and goofy attitude.
And now… now that she’s gone…
What I’d give to have that moment back. That moment to listen to her sing. To watch her dance and appreciate her goofy ways and trying to make me feel better. To just simply sit and be still with her.
This is why I take time for Sunrise Snuggles with Sunny.
To ground and prepare myself for the day ahead.
To allow a Rearview Mirror Moment to emerge so I can appreciate what life has provided.
To soak in the present moment and intentionally just sit and be still with Sunny.
Life really is that short.
I think it’s important to glance back in that rearview mirror so you don’t forget your roots and the lessons life has taught along the way. Just don’t get stuck looking back. Let it lift you to the present and guide your purpose.