Good Morning

It's a fine morning.  The sun has crested the hills to the east.  Its warmth takes the edge off the slight chill in the air. I'm sitting in an old Adirondack chair on the front porch.  I love this chair.  My parents made it for me more than 20 years ago.  The seat and back curve just right so it is comfortable without cushions.  The best part is the wide arms that make perfect platforms for a hot cup of coffee or cold beer. 

The chair's seat is wide enough for a dad and a small child to snuggle comfortably, although it hasn't served that purpose for many years.  I miss the days of squeezing in with one of the kids, cuddling up and reading a story.  The memories would certainly embarrass my son and today the girls are more inclined to sit on the the long picnic bench as they tell their stories of school and gymnastics, books and ballet, friends, teachers and on very rare and special occasions... boys.  I'm happy to sit in my chair and listen, watching their animated expressions as the light spring breeze blows a strand of long brown hair across a cherub face.  Bird songs provide background music to the stories making the experience feel like a well directed movie. I'd like to capture this movie on a DVD so, as my memory fades, I can replay it again and again but I know it would not be the same.  This time, these moments are precious, fragile and cannot be duplicated. As I listen I wonder when these children started to interact with the world so independently.  Everything I hear reinforces my confidence in their ability to make good assessments and decisions, and that is comforting . It is overwhelming to see how quickly they are growing up.  

Before I know it the the stories are done, the girls scatter and are off to their next adventure. Their laughter and giggles linger like the sent of a perfect perfume, just barely discernible in the last moments before it disappears into the air.  Then I'm alone again, with a hot cup of coffee sitting on the arm rest of my favorite chair and the morning's paper on my lap. The blessings of my life settle on me like a warm blanket and I breathe in deeply to absorb all I can.  Life is good.