Alma has always been a late sleeper. By that I mean she will sleep past seven most days, if we let her. Harriet, on the other hand, has always been an early riser. I think we’ve had two mornings in her life when she slept past seven.
I’ve decided to be more like Harriet.
My CHOOSE for now is to wake up before the sun.
I want to have some of those peaceful moments before everything, and everyone, starts going. I want to have a moment where I can sit still before I have to go all day long. I want to have moments with Harriet where we can explore together. I want to take some time to notice these moments.
So, from now until the Solstice, I will be getting up earlier and earlier. I have it all written out in my planner so I can set my alarm for ten minutes before the sunrise.
Yesterday, I was supposed to wake up at 5:52, but I was already awake at 5:50. I went and sat in Harriet’s room and caught up on Instagram and stuff while she still slept. I really noticed the sounds of Harriet’s breath as she slept. I noticed the quiet all around us. Then she stirred, turned over and saw me, and smiled. I got her out of her crib and she said, “Thank you for staying with me, mommy.”
She was so happy that it made the whole morning shine. She cuddled into me and her gratitude for my being there when she woke up was electric.
Today, I woke up with my alarm. When I left my room, Harriet saw me, or heard me, and called out. We got up, spent some time watching the sunrise in the backyard. Alma joined us to make some hot cocoa, and our morning had begun.
It might be hard to wake up so early, but if all our mornings can be like this, I will have no reason to complain.