by Ann Major

Created on: June 14, 2010   Last Updated: June 15, 2010

Enjoying the morning bliss can be just an instant snapshot or lingering moments over coffee, looking out the window to see yet another day unfold.  Morning bliss can be triggered by a bird chirping, sweet fragrance from the lilac trees, or just the smell of coffee when every night, just before going to bed, I am already anticipating the next day's rising, as each morning brings its own beauty and uniqueness.

Since retiring, I have also retired my alarm clock.  The first morning bliss has to be no longer being jolted out of bed from a deep sleep by an irritating, jarring sound.  Waking up in the morning is now much gentler, where time is luxury, being able to hug my pillow just one more time.  With the pop-popping of the percolator, I am cajoled to get out of bed as I anticipate my first sip of aromatic coffee.  With the clacking of dishes downstairs and the smell of burnt toast, I get out of bed with enthusiasm. 

The blessings of morning bliss are manifold.  Living in the country and beside water, we have been given several special occasions to give us insight unto the natural order of things when it comes to wildlife.  This winter we had the joy of witnessing a family of seals, revealing their presence one by one on an ice floe until the entire group congregated on the surface, exhausted by their hunting for food.  Another occasion involved the mating of two bald eagles, again frolicking on the surface of winter's ice, which without them, would have proved to be a very bleak and dark winter.

My husband has become an amateur photographer, as some mornings the sunrise is so spectacular. He has begun a collection for our photo gallery as blues, oranges, reds, and pinks unfold from nature's color palette.  Other times, we wake up to a stormy and brooding sea, black covering the entire sky, and if we are lucky, this will give way to blue skies and dotting clouds, and if you stare long enough, will change shape and blow away.

Morning bliss is not without birds having their breakfasts, as well.  From seagulls, to kingfishers, woodpeckers, and even a majestic hawk, we are witness to how they live and how they play.  When winds are furious, seagulls actually come out to fly against the wind and to be borne on the eddies of air as only they can play. 

It is with vicarious experience that I watch fishing boats go out to sea, one by one, for their morning catch, and come home just before the sun sets.  I feel for the hard work of their livelihood as only a land lubber can, because I would not be able to withstand the inclement conditions, nor have the stamina for hard physical labor with the harshness of the sun beating down upon me. 

All these thoughts cross my mind as I sit with my morning coffee.  Have you ever heard the sound of silence?  It is almost deafening in its quietude.  When breezes no longer rustle through the poplar trees and no winds howl through the pines, all is still for one to contemplate that special time of morning bliss.  The sea is so calm and flat, it is mesmerizing.  When I am ready, I eagerly slide out of my chair, and enjoying that last sip of coffee, I am buoyed by optimism and energy to await another exciting day.

Learn more about this author, Ann Major.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.