Ah, the early morning .. The hour when dreams still cling to the corners of your mind, whispering sweet nothings, while your alarm clock plays the subtle warning .. It’s 5:30 AM, and I’m groaning into my pillow, contemplating the profound question: why on earth did I set that alarm? The thought of indulging in just a few more minutes of blissful oblivion dances teasingly in my head. It’s a delicate negotiation, this waking up ritual, one that I usually lose.
In my half-asleep daze, I stumble toward the kitchen, my legs still tangled in last night’s hopes and dreams. I switch on the coffee pot, and the rich, earthy aroma begins to fill the air, wrapping around me like a warm, caffeinated hug .. Outside, the sun is playing peekaboo with the horizon, slowly prying itself away from the cozy embrace of night.
Then there’s Jai .. my little boy in the morning chaos. He emerges from the depths of sleep, refusing to acknowledge the bright new day with its endless possibilities. Instead, he shuffles to the couch, blanket tightly wrapped around him like a superhero’s cape .. or some version of it … Regardless of the season, it’s his steadfast ritual, a stubborn testament to his late-night escapades that continue long after most folks have surrendered to sleep. A glass of warm milk becomes his magic elixir, fueling him for another day of school as he nestles deeper into his blanket cocoon.
The morning air, once heavy with silence, soon gives way to the melodious sounds of music .. The sizzle of bacon adds to the ambiance, a fragrant call to arms against the unyielding grip of lethargy. And Jai, finally emerges from his blanket prison, pulling clothes from a fresh laundry pile that could easily rival Mount Everest in both height and challenge .. rummaging through the wrinkled fabric in search of shorts and sweatshirt .. no matter the time of the year.
His room represents a gallery of unfinished projects .. bearing witness to the countless distractions that have claimed his attention. The recently purchased bed stands half-assembled, a testament to his enthusiasm having wilted under the pressure of more pressing tasks .. The desk still in the boxes waiting to be called out ..
After what feels like an eternity of preparation, the pace of our morning activities comes to a screeching halt as Jai heads off to school and I finally make my way to the gym. The sudden stillness is jarring, like the abrupt end of a song that was just about to hit its crescendo. And so, I find myself alone, navigating the aftermath of our shared morning chaos—a quiet space filled with the echoes of laughter and the lingering scent of bacon.
As I walk back from the gym, my quiet mind races through an overdrive of thoughts—past mistakes warring with the present moment .. I welcome the cool air that bites playfully at my skin to bring me to the present moment .. and sometimes, the soft autumn rain joins the party, drenching me in its refreshing honesty. It’s a gentle reminder that life carries on, with or without my consent .. I ponder the paradox of existence: how the mundane moments of waking up and getting ready can somehow contain the entire spectrum of life’s absurdity. Each day feels like a grand performance where we play our roles .. And beneath the surface chaos, there’s a sense of beauty—a delicate balance between the ridiculous and the profound.