New Day Every Day

The trees rustle in the wind, while the clocks gently tick tock the seconds away. In the corner, my three beasts are gently snoring and dreaming of milk bones and finally catching that mean mailman. Throughout the house, no noise comes from any rooms, except the occasional gently stirrings of those in deep slumber.

But I sit at my wooden table, calming tea and gardenia candle to my right, faithful puppy sidekick to my left, and let my surroundings bring me the peace I have been looking for throughout this week.

If you have children or are about to have a child, you know the importance of these quiet moments, usually in the wee morning or the late hours to reflect and catch your breath. For me, the early morning, when my thoughts race and the lists begin to form, it is the best time to appreciate Mother Earth.

Opening the shutters and letting in the gentle light of the sunrise brings me a joy I thought I once lost. Today, I opened a shutter to discover a rose bush my Mother planted for her Stella. She said that one day, Stella will take care of the beautiful roses and think of her Lita, knowing just how much she was loved and adored.

For my little girl, I will plant gardenias by the front door, so that each time she returns home, the familiar scent will fill her soul and remind her of love. Those few precious moments when our senses bring us happiness and love, those are the best feelings that briefly flutter in and out of our lives.

I guess what I am trying to say is, today, at the beginning of Lent, take the time to stop and smell the roses (or gardenias). Take a moment to relish at the beauty that surrounds you (even if it’s snow for our friends up north) and let it wrap your senses in love.