Saturday, June 13, 2009

Gentle

"I preferred to work by firelight in the kitchen instead of turning on the over head bulb. Electricity's too harsh for early morning. Even the sun knows to start gentle."

--from The Well and the Mine by Gin Phillips

I came across the above quote last week, and I think it is beautiful--especially these two lines:
Electricity's too harsh for early morning. Even the sun knows to start gentle. 

One of my favorite things is waking up and walking in the kitchen each morning. John is a much earlier riser than I am, so I usually stumble in and find him sitting at the table in the near dark drinking coffee and reading or writing. 

I like to pour myself a cup and join him.

It's quiet, dark, peaceful, and together we wake up slowly. Gently.

Summer mornings seem even more gentle. During the school year, those delicious waking-up moments are soon followed by the frantic rush to make breakfast, make lunches, get myself and the kids dressed and out the door. Summer mornings allow me/us to linger and to remain in that restful (gentle) state. It's a beautiful way to start the day.

16 comments:

Emily said...

Beautiful.

I begin my days with Miles chattering in his crib, and then we rock in the near dark while I give him his bottle. This week I've wanted to freeze him just like this forever.

Lauren said...

LOVED this Mere!!!! I hope your day is gentle today :O)

Cathy said...

A-MEN.

Jacquie said...

This post makes me WISH I was a morning person.

Christi @ Writing the Waves said...

Sounds like a relaxing way to start your day! :)

Kendra said...

I love gentle morning, but I call them lazy morning. The lazier, the better.

Holly said...

And I like the word, LINGER. I even like to say it!

Beautiful word picture, Mer!

Stephanie Kay said...

AT 7 AM this morning a little hand poked me in that back to wake me up and ask "is it time to wake up yet?" I'd have to wake up at 5:30 AM to do so gently. sigh.. Why has God blessed me with an early riser?

Barb said...

It's my very favorite time of the day, for exactly the reason you've described here. I love the way you described your mornings. Mine are the same but I've never tried to put it into words.

You did it beautifully.

Kelly @ Love Well said...

I am not sure I've ever experienced a morning like that.

I'm up early many days, but I'm NEVER aware enough to be happy and gentle. I'm just zoned. Eventually, I gain consciousness, and all is well. But by that point, the morning is in full swing, and the kids are climbing on me.

Which isn't gentle either.

Puva said...

(:

Kecia said...

Just reading your post made me feel peaceful. :)
And I met Mollie at her church this morning! It was fun.

Moriah @ Please Pass the Salt said...

Since Andy works the 2nd shift (and we're still a house full of preschoolers), that IS our usual morning... love it. Love coffee, too.

Amber said...

I loved this.

So sweet.

Gretchen said...

Thanks for the glimpse, Mer. I think there's probably a lot of gentle going around at your house. More than you realize. You have a great family.

The Animator's Wife said...

Everyday should start so gently!