Turning Over a New Leaf

I'm not a morning person. I don't like to get out of my nice, warm, cozy bed. And, I despise the sound of an alarm going off. But, I also really don't like feeling like I don't have any time to myself during the day. So, I'm turning over a new leaf. My plan is to start getting up earlier and trying to make the most of the hour or two I have before the children wake up. Actually, I thought I would institute this plan on Monday. Unfortunately, my radio alarm was set to a non-station. Yesterday, I just about beat the thing to death, trying to hit the snooze button. And didn't even succeed in hitting snooze. Rather, I ended up turning it completely off---and sleeping on. Today, I set two alarms. The regular one (set to a nice, local, country station) and the cell phone (placed strategically in the bathroom, out of arm's reach and harm's way). Finally, success! I woke up to the regular alarm, even, and didn't destroy it in the process. I then stumbled into the bathroom to turn off the other alarm before it began it's annoying wake-up call. Then, peeking through half an eye and walking with robotic stiffness, I made my way to the shower, my morning savior. Hot water pouring over me like a waterfall always magically clears my sleep-muddled brain and loosens my prematurely old joints. And, suddenly, I realized that I had just taken a giant step towards my new goal! With that inspiration tucked neatly under the towel twisted atop my head, I donned my tennis shoes and set out for a brisk walk through my portion of the Livable Forest. And, I must tell you, it was amazing! It was quiet. And beautiful. I was able to pray and think and just breath deeply. I was all the more encouraged to find a still-quiet home when I returned. And, I pocketed a few more moments in which to drink a glass of water, visit with Jeff, change clothes and read the Bible--all before anyone demanded a thing from me. It was glorious! This isn't the first time I've set this goal, and experience tells me I probably won't ever become a morning person, but on a day like today I at least want to try a little harder not to murder the alarm clock when it delivers its rude awakening.