Sunrises

When I stepped out the front door this morning, the first thing I noticed was the beautiful sunrise peeking over the tops of the houses across the street. The horizon was blend of pink and orange, bold against the neighboring blue sky. I took a moment to appreciate it, I pointed it out to my wife, and then I continued to my car.

Most of my commute is such that this wonderful scene was over my right shoulder, out of sight. My focus turn to traffic and work and all the mundane elements that make up my commute. The last leg of my drive finally turns back as I wind my way to the parking lot. As I turned, I remembered the sunrise but I knew it was too late. Gone were the pinks and oranges, replaced by brilliant blue, beautiful in its own right. I was glad that I'd taken the time earlier to appreciate the sunrise for what it was.

This morning's sunrise reminds me of my sons and the various stages of childhood. We've watched baby and toddler phases come and go, each much more fleeting than I could have imagined. Sometimes, when you're in the midst of it, you don't notice it slipping away. But then you look away for a moment and it disappears, replaced by something else, also wonderful. To be sure, we've also run into some pretty gray and dreary days but I know there's another sunrise coming soon enough. I just need to remind myself to take the time to appreciate it when it arrives.