I’m grateful for a gorgeous sky this morning. I’m grateful for the way things are going. I’m grateful for the chance to do things differently. I’m grateful for my daughter sending me pictures of used bookstores. I’m grateful for what used to be. I’m grateful to be sober today.
It’s a back-to-the-grind Monday.1 I was up a little earlier than usual owing to a little time zone disruption (which I kind of like, actually). It still felt a little too early to make coffee, it was that early. I was padding around the apartment and looked outside and it was the most beautiful sky. Actually, it is represented in the photograph above. The same thing happened yesterday morning, too.
I was decidedly more tired yesterday morning and definitely less charmed about the idea of getting to meet the morning!2Also, not pointing fingers, but it’s possible that my son-in-law may have switched off a bunch of outlets while I was away, so I was fumbling around in the darkness (not a metaphor) and feeling a touch crankier and then I noticed that the entire room was glowing orange.3 You’re probably rolling your eyes right now and wondering if it’s another one of those God in the Locker Room stories; It’s not. Here, I’ll show you:
It was so bright and so orange, it made me laugh and everything was ok all of a sudden. Do I think these sunrises and pennies on the street and songs on the radio are intended exclusively for me? No, I don’t. Anyone up really early yesterday or today and looking East could have had a similar experience. The pennies I find on the street have probably been there for a while. It’s more the way I look at those things now. I’m not looking for validation of some course of action I want to take: “I knew I was right and there’s a grimy penny on the street to prove it.”
Those things are simply reminders that I’m on the right path; like the trail markers emblazoned on trees when you’re hiking. They are reminders that I can trust that things will be ok. It turns out all that is necessary is a willingness to believe there is some kind of a power greater than myself.4 It seems like this Higher Power enjoys putting on shows in the morning and I’m up early, so I’m down with that.
If you haven’t read the Liner Notes for Episodes 22 and 23, well, here’s a chance to change that:
Thanks for Letting Me Share
Is that a weak coffee joke?
This is a sarcastic exclamation point! Or is it ironic?
Super strategic daughter helps arrange my trip, waits a few days, “Dad, since you’re going to be away, is it ok if we stay in the apartment?” I love that quite a bit about her.
Double-bonus points if you know the reference.