Counting Sheep
September 5, 2013
Cathy Monetti
September 6, 2013
Originally posted on September 12, 2012
A grove of trees edges our pond, just across the water there, exactly where the sun rises. I woke up long before it peaked over the leafy tops yesterday, an occurrence worthy of mention if only for its rarity. I am a deep and easy sleeper.
But on that day, 9/11/12, I opened my eyes to find the bedroom inky dark. The french door blinds were open, and I looked out at the night, guessing at the time. Should I make my way to the bathroom, reasonably sure it was nearly dawn (and a great opportunity to get the day started a bit early for a change)? Or should I stay still in the quiet, expecting to fall back into dreamland with little hesitation or effort?
I did not get up.
But I didn’t fall asleep either, at least not for a long while. Instead I lay there thinking of the date, thinking of the many families who would awaken to face the day with sad, heavy hearts.
I have so much to be grateful for I thought. So, so much. And I began to count my blessings.
One, two, three. Ten, Twenty, Thirty, Forty. And on and on, for a long, long time. And before I knew it I felt my consciousness rise again, lifting me from another deep sleep. My eyes opened to find the lake trees bathed in a magnificent light, an orange halo, the promise of another day.
A thousand times I looked toward that 9/11 sky, making my way through the day. Every single time, it was glorious.
8:15 am.
8:25 am.
7:15 pm.
7:30 pm.
TheDailyGrace
TheDailyGrace is the online journal of Cathy Rigg Monetti, writer and founder of Riggs Partners in Columbia, South Carolina. It chronicles the observations of ordinary days, in an ordinary life, and how extraordinary those days become when you simply pay attention. Follow TheDailyGrace blog here , or via Facebook or Twitter.
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