What a sunrise!
What a photograph!
This is how my day started on Tuesday, September 6th, 2011. Well, that's not entirely true... it started when it was still dark outside... 5 am to be exact. This dreadfully early rise was needed in order to deliver my hubby to the Fredericton airport. Now, it is important for you to know this... I don't do mornings well, and I definitely don't do airports well... unh, unh, nope, never, not my forte !
Flash back to a few days before, and where was I? The Fredericton airport (but at the much more decent hour of 7pm!) We were there to see Sam off on his return to Alberta, following his wonderful week home with family. I bravely said my good-byes, after all... I would be seeing him soon upon my return to our Alberta home. Then came the moment he and Julia had to say 'good-bye'... I'm weeping just remembering. So I can't say any more... other than it was very, very, hard.
Forward now to my Tuesday morning and another airport good-bye. Paul travels often, so you'd think the 'off to work good-byes' would be somewhat routine by now. Well, I do fairly well with the 'at the front door good-byes'. But the 'leave him at the airport good-byes' ... not so well. What a sap! And this particular farewell was made harder by the fact that in a few days, I was going to be alone in saying a final 'good-bye' to Julia. (I can be a tough cookie sometimes, but when it comes to saying good-bye to family, I become emotional mush). My lonely drive back to the hotel must have been comical to other drivers passing by me... there I was, sporting barely presentable morning hair, singing out loud to some sappy song on Sirius radio, tears freely rolling down my cheeks, with a loveable Bordie Collie sitting beside me and lapping at my fore-mentioned tears. No word of a lie! Funny to me now, but my soul purpose at that moment was to be able to see through my tears, so I could safely drive back to the hotel, and bury myself in the wonderful king bed until check-out time. I was feeling more than a wee bit sad, and just wanted to lose myself in the big down comforter to have some 'poor me' time.
And then everything changed.
Through my tears, I caught a glimpse of beautiful colors shimmering through the trees, reflecting upon the stillness of the river. My tears slowed, my sobs eased. The sun was rising and it promised to be breathtaking.
As I neared the hotel, and the glory of the sunrise burst forth, my spirits lifted and my heart began beating to a joyful new song. I did return to my hotel room, but only to grab my camera and Heidi's leash. We walked along the riverbank path ever so slowly... listening to the hushed sounds of daybreak, quietly greeting the early morning walkers and joggers, breathing in the warm dewy air, and marvelling at the dawning of a new day. It was simply... wonderful.
I did jump back into bed. I couldn't resist. It was such an awesome bed!
But I did so with a lightness in my heart and a realization of the gift I had just been given... the gift of a new day. And it made me think of the wonderful gift that Julia was about to open... many new days... ones full of learning, adventure, interesting people, travel, and discovery. I knew that when it came time to say good-bye I would still cry ... because I was going to miss her. But I would not be sad. I would recall that magnificent sunrise, and take joy in sharing the "gift of a new day" with my daughter.
I will forever look back on Tuesday, September 6th, 2011 as one of the most memorable 'gift days' I've been given. My life journey of days has been filled with ups and downs, challenges and triumphs, love and loss, despair and joy. So I know, any day that starts with the beauty of a sunrise, the promise of possibilities, and the unwaivering love of family, is the best of days. Tuesday, September 6th, 2011 is a keeper!
My wish for my family and friends is this... May light always shine forth through times of darkness, and may you may embrace the gift of each new day with an open mind, a loving soul, and a thankful heart.
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Keep on keeping on... bArB :)
