One of my goals for the New Year is to form the habit of rising early, before the rest of the household. Those of you who are morning people see no struggle in this goal but those of you who tend to be night owls –like yours truly– understand the firm resolution need to achieve such a goal. No doubt I see the merit in it, yet oh how easy it is to lose sight of that in the early morning chill and darkness.
But here I am, at least for today, enjoying a cup of tea and enjoying the quiet of the house before it disappears with the darkness and I hear little feet coming to meet me.
Not that I am complaining. I am fully aware that someday my days will be filled with quiet and there will be no little feet padding down the stairs to greet me and no dimpled smile of a precocious three year old reminding me that today is a “cereal day”. Indeed, as each of the children rise they will greet me in their own way and while some will be chipper and others groggy, a few (of the teen aged variety) will very likely have to be called, and called again.
My husband is long gone as his work starts early and this too is another reason I want to rise early; to be there as he leaves for the day to serve his family and to show him that I appreciate his sacrifice for us. I also want him to know that I take my role as wife and mother seriously and know its importance to the family dynamic. This isn’t to say that rising later means I’m not serious, but in many ways it does send a subtle message and I know from experience that it can set the tone for the day in a way that just isn’t productive to the family-centered life we try to cultivate here.
My to do list for the day is already filled and I must remind myself it is still Christmas and resolve not to let that list and its demands overshadow the joy of these last days of the holiday.
Sunday we celebrate the Epiphany and a month from Sunday we enter Lent. Our time between Christmas and Lent is the shortest it’s been in our lifetime. Easter is the earliest it’s been since 1910 –March 23rd– and if the current temperature is any indication, we will surely be wearing long sleeves on Easter Sunday. With only a month to prepare for Lent I have to admit I’m feeling the crunch since besides the personal and family preparations, I have 6 RCIA candidates to prepare as well. This is but one more reason why rising early is a good idea –since there’s so much to do.
I’ve finished my tea and it’s time to get moving. I hear the trash trucks rumblings about town and I know that soon the little people upstairs will be rising with the sun. May God love’s and peace bless you this Christmas day!
{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
Jennifer 01.03.08 at 1:20 pm
Michelle, I just want to say that I love your blog and have been lurking here for quite a bit. I, too, am a night owl, and want to cultivate the habit of getting up before my family, much for the same reasons you posted here. I often feel guilty that my husband rises so early to take care of us, and on the mornings I do get up with him and see him off to work, I can see in his eyes that it means so much to him. Plus, I’m up and ready for the day when my kiddos get up (something I need to be prepared for as all four of them are under the age of seven!). Thanks for the great post. A reminder to get my “new” schedule started and prepare for Lent as well. God Bless! (A little side note: I just ordered one of your planners to help me get started. Thanks!)
Eileen 01.03.08 at 1:30 pm
I love how getting up before everyone else really helps set the tone for the day, and your point about being there when dh leaves for work is excellent…I just have to learn to get to bed earlier, in order to make that happen. (And dh would appreciate that, too!) I also noticed that the time between Christmas and Lent is short (though I didn’t know it was an historical low!), and it does seem a little strange to have these two liturgical seasons so close together. I wonder how it will feel to have all that “extra” ordinary time afterwards?
Thank you for sharing this reflection. It is very much in line with how I need to be thinking today.
Warnly,
Eileen.
Jennifer in TX 01.03.08 at 1:54 pm
Michele,
Blessed New Year to you and yours and Merry Christmas!
Your words echo my thoughts!
Cay 01.03.08 at 3:00 pm
I’m with you, sister. From one night owl to another, this is something I want to do and fail so sadly at. But I could not agree more. Perhaps knowing that you are rising in the dark many states away will help me to somehow greet the “early morning chill and darkness” with a more productive, charitable spirit.
Meredith 01.03.08 at 3:45 pm
I’ll take the early riser challenge, and can you just call me about an hour after you get up, it’ll be just my time here in the West
Just kidding, we have been WAY too lazy here over the casual Christmas days, which is good, but enough already (on the sleeping in that is). I hope you enjoyed your tea, Merry Christmas to you!
molly 01.03.08 at 9:26 pm
Merry Christmas Michele and enjoy that cup of morning tea.
Cheryl 01.04.08 at 2:19 am
I’m a night-owl like you, but I started early rising in September. The benefits are great. I just have to make sure I get to sleep at a decent time at night. I wish you well.