Monday, May 9, 2016

On Mother's Day Morning


It's Mother's Day. It's 5:30am. The sky is lightening, the sun slowly rising. I can hear the rooster cock-a-doodle-doing, he's a little eager to get out of the coop on this beautiful morning. I put the kettle on, and head outside. A chill is in the air, and the wind from last night has blown the outdoor furniture around. I breathe in the fresh morning air. The dog, Shelby, knowing my routine, makes her way to the porch to be fed. As she happily eats, I scoop up some chicken feed, and make my way, slowly, to the chicken coop. Along the way I walk pass the front gardens, the ones I worked on Saturday morning. I remember the feel of my hands in the dirt as they planted little bits of magic and hope in the earth. Kale, Swiss chard, spinach, salad greens, sugar peas, snap peas, and carrots tucked into the damp earth, waiting for just the right moment to burst forth with life. The rooster calls again, and I make my way to the coop. As I open the door he is the first one out, full of life, and ready to take on the day. The hens, still a little sleepy, slowly make their way out, a few take a little longer, like they themselves are taking a deep breath before stepping out into the world for the day. I sprinkle their food on the ground, add some to their feeder, and then make my way to the little cottage in the backyard. The back garden, with garlic shoots popping through the straw, and strawberry leaves slowly unfurling, catches my gaze. The herb garden, cleaned out on Saturday, has blossomed to life. The yarrow, lemon balm, bee balm, chives and catnip seem to be saying thank you with their vibrant green leaves. I spy the first planting of peas, planted three weeks ago, sprouting, reaching towards the sun. In the cottage, the cat is still snuggled warmly in her bed. She peeks out at me, and tucks in again, not quite ready to join me. Strolling around the yard, I pick up chair cushions, and put chairs back where they belong. The chickadees are singing their morning song, a rose breasted grosbeak lands on a branch not far from me, the first one of the season, and the red winged blackbirds are sitting high in the lilac bushes, their beautiful call filling the air. As I top up the bird feeders, my wild feathered friends wait patiently, high above. A few have courage, and hop down from up high to get a little closer, to check me out. It feels special to be this close to nature on this quiet morning, to connect to the earth, this place, this land. I am deeply rooted here, planted, much like the seeds I put in the earth on Saturday, and over the years, like those seeds, I have grown, changed, unfurled, becoming more of who I am, and who I want to be. In that moment, I smile, grateful for the journey that has brought me here. As I slowly make my way back to the house, I feel alive, my heart is happy. I quietly sneak back into the house, hoping I don't wake my little man. I make a cup of tea, and I sit for a moment in silence, and then inspired, find myself writing, sharing with you the start of my day, Mother's Day, my first as a single mama.

28 comments:

  1. Thinking of you and Happy Mother's Day Kim.

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    1. Thank you Tonya. Happy Mother's Day to you too.

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  2. It sounds like your mother's day was off to a great start. I get up earlier than I really need to every day because I really enjoy some quiet "me" time. Hope your day was filled with lots of love and happiness!

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    1. It was the perfect start, and the rest of the day was slow and simple, just they way I like things.

      I get up early every day too, that quiet time each day grounds and centers me for the day ahead.

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  3. I'm glad your heart is happy Kim and I hope you enjoyed your Mother's Day and have a super Monday.

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  4. Wishing you many beautiful Mother's Days to come dear friend. xo

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    1. Thank you my friend, and wishing the same for you. xo

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  5. Kim, I can feel the hope and promise in your heart in your writing. I hope you had a wonderful Mother's Day!

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    1. Aw, thank you Jennifer. Much hope and promise right now, and trying my best to keep that in the forefront.

      I had a lovely day, thanks, and hope you did too.

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  6. What a beautiful start to the day. Thank you for a sharing. Hope you had a wonderful Mothers Day.

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    1. It certainly was. Thank you, I did, and hope you had a lovely day too.

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  7. Beautiful post Kim. Your place looks very special and peaceful.

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  8. Kim, your happiness is a delight to read. May this new season in your life be more and more :0) blessings...mari

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    1. Oh, thank you Mari. This new season has been up and down, as expected, but I am doing my best to stay in the moment, and to keep gratitude at the forefront in my days. xo

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    1. Aw, thank you my friend. And a very special first Happy Mother's Day to you. xo

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  10. happy Mother's day Kim, I feel that is was a hurdle day for you, thank you for sharing your beautiful day and how you enjoy the mornings. I love mornings and routines. I hope you had a special dinner or dessert with your little guy!!

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    1. Thank you Karen. It was a bit of a hurdle day for me, the first one as a single mama, and I made it through thanks to my little man, friends and family.

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  11. What a beautiful lovely post - I think you are sorting through a lot of things while remaining grateful and taking in the simple/complex beauty that is all around you. That is strength.
    ((hugs))
    You and the Mama Gone Green have very similar stories right now it seems?

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    1. Thanks Alyssa. Yes, lots of sorting at the moment, and trying to remain grateful as I move through it all. Thank you for noticing, and for your sweet and kind words.

      Yes, we are traveling similar paths right now, and have emailed and written over the last few months. She has been a huge source of inspiration for me on this new path.

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  12. What a beautiful day and an inspirant post ! Thank you for sharing my friend ... Here the mother's day has not yet taken place ... xo

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  13. Happy belated Mother's Day. It sounds like a beautiful start. I hope it had an equally beautiful middle and end. Shine

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    1. Thank you, and to you too. It was a beautiful start to the day, and the rest of the day was just as lovely.

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  14. A late Happy Mothers' Day to you, it sounds like it was all set up to be a special one. This year is full of 'firsts' for you, I'm sure so many are challenging for you in some ways but you seem to be meeting them all head on, smiling, and finding the positives.

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    1. Thank you my friend. It was a special one and thoroughly enjoyed. Yes, so many "firsts", and yes challenging at times, but I have accepted this as my new path, and with it comes the freedom to sink in and enjoy each and every "first" that is coming my way. It almost feels like a rebirth in some ways, and a chance to rediscover more of who I am...and that is a gift in many ways.

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