Early Morning

A twinkle in the eye means joy in the heart, 
and good news makes you feel fit as a fiddle. ~ Proverbs 15:30 the message


This morning I awoke at 3:30 to soft footfalls on the stairs.  Soon after a few more.  I waited and then the front door opened and closed.  Silence.  Marco barked twice and then Wye twice more.  I had waited for the shower - my cue that it was almost time for them to leave.  Somehow, I missed it.  I walked downstairs.  The house dark.  Silent.  Humid.  Lonely.  As the car pulled away.  At least the dogs got to say goodbye...


Logan and his girlfriend are on their way to Georgia to visit our family.  Last night, by contrast, was anything but quiet.  As we discussed directions and packing and make sure you don't forget this and that and Devon's puppy, Hobo, tried to eat Poe which Poe became very upset about.  She bristled up all over and stared at Hobo from my shoulder beneath my hair.  Hobo is trying to figure out just what Poe is so upset about.  I made a wisecrack and then it happened amidst the swirl and commotion.


Devon began to laugh.  


Once Devon begins to laugh, everyone laughs.  She has one of those contagious laughs - I call it the baby laugh.  You know the one I am talking about...when a baby starts to laugh at something and then can't stop.  Soon, everyone is laughing.  Not at what the baby is laughing at, but because the baby is laughing.  It is contagious and it feels good.  I can see why Logan adores her.  It makes me like her even more.  They are so at ease and content with each other.  You can't help but enjoy being in their presence.


So as I lay piled up on the couch staring out the picture window and licking my wounds at being denied my chance at a hug and a goodbye wave, the sun began to rise.  At first the light filtered through branches that were black as night, but then the sky lightened to the clearest blue and somewhere in between, the humidity lifted and cool breezes began to drift through the window.  The sun shone bright on the green wafting oak leaves and sparkled on the dewy clover.  Birds sang an opera.  And I, well, I marveled at creation.  It is rare that I am ever up at sunrise.  I just can't force myself to get up that early unless it is absolutely necessary.  I am a night owl.  I love to sit under a full moon and watch stars appear one by one in a dark sky.  But I love the afternoon sun as well and the warmth on my face.  But this morning was a rare jewel.  A little gift for a Saturday morning when I was feeling lazy...I mean, after all, isn't that what Saturday mornings are for - sleeping in beneath a down comforter under an open window as perfect breezes blow.


Today I found God in the rarely seen gift of early morning light.  Today I found God when I remembered Devon's laugh.  Just knowing Logan will be with her today and knowing that it will bring him happiness because he will be hearing that laugh and in turn will make him laugh, makes me happy.  I look forward to their return and to catching their contagious happiness because today I found God there.  And once you find God somewhere, you want to be in that place all the time.