Christmas decorations were up for a couple of months, and we all got really used to it, myself included. Every morning, I would come out of our room, juggling laundry to dump and dishes from night snacks and/or morning coffee, into the pitch dark. And I would whisper to our Echo to turn on the Christmas lights. And she would whisper back “ok” and everything would light up. And it was beauuuuutiful. I love that part of the season.
When I packed up Christmas, I took it all down. Sometimes we’ve left pieces up for longer, like the railing lights, or the trees above the cabinets, but this year I did it all at once. Being a bit more on my own with those things, it takes a bit more out of me, and I didn’t want to have to pull out all the Christmas tubs more than once. So in one fell swoop, it was ALL down.
Now, in the morning, when I make my way out of our room, arms full of all the things, I’m also fumbling with my phone flashlight in an effort to stay alive long enough to make it down the stairs.
Just a couple of days ago, I found myself so utterly frustrated with this. I considered getting the lights back down and lighting up one small area, or even just moving a lamp to the switch that is Amazon Echo enabled so I can get some light. There would be a simple enough solve, I’m sure.
But then I remembered what I do love about the dark mornings.
Without the early mornings being dark, I would never get to appreciate the sun rising earlier and earlier. I get up at virtually the same time every school morning, and in the years past, I have really enjoyed watching the seasons change in this way. One day, probably not too far in the future, I’ll make my way out of my room right around 7:20, and I’ll be able to see just that much clearer. Soon, I’ll ditch my phone flashlight altogether. And shortly after that, everyone else will be SO much more awake in the morning because the light makes life so much easier that way.
I suppose this is my own version of driving to and from work in the dark, and watching the sunrises and sunsets change 💜 The days getting longer means spring is on its way! And I am READY for spring.