May I never fail to see the beauty in the sunrises and sunsets. In the mornings, for years, I’ve played a game with Mother Nature. If I get up before the sunrise, I win! If she gets up before I do and the sunrise has already happened by the time I get up, she wins. There are no actual prizes, of course, except seeing the beauty of darkness passing, the glory of the sun rising and spending a few minutes meditating, looking forward to what each day holds.
Sunset
The sunsets are a time of reflection. I never see a sunset, and I notice them almost every day, that I don’t think about spending time at my grandparents. I loved being there! Chickens. Old Spot, the cow. Big fig tree. Garden with what seemed like an endless supply of beans to shell. Butter to churn. I was never bored there.
But when the sun set and each day came to a close, I was a bit sad. I missed “home” — my own room, city conveniences . . phone, tv, friends. My grandparents went to bed so early and I’ve always been a night owl. Their house was small so when one went to bed, we all went to bed.
Nowadays, as I watch the sunsets, my first thoughts are usually about things I didn’t get done that I had planned to get done. There’s always more to do than I get done but I don’t mind . . that means there’s something to do tomorrow! 🙂
Sunset
This is also the time when it’s time to sit down and relax – read, knit . . whatever I want to do and not feel like I should be doing something else.
I sometimes think about sunrise and sunset in relation to life. In the sunrise of our life, we’re young, full of vigor, our entire life ahead .. just like the sunrise – there’s a whole day ahead of us, hopefully when the sun rises, we’re energetic and refreshed. Sunset, on the other hand, is the end of the day. We’re usually tired, spent and ready for some down time. Not much more can be accomplished as the day draws to an end. In our older years, hopefully we’ve accomplished some major goals and it’s time to enjoy the later years . . spend time with the grandkids, sleep late, no daily schedules.
I hope I never see a sunrise that I don’t feel energized and ready to tackle the day, and I hope with each sunset, I’m able to reflect on the day and feel at least some sense of accomplishment.
Life is short and we never know how many sunrises and sunsets we have left so let’s make the best of each one!
Sue in Scottsdale, AZ says
Beautiful pictures and even more beautiful sentiments. Thanks for sharing with us.
Eileen says
I love sunsets. I rarely witness a sunrise. Too early for me! That is a beautiful sunset!!
Rebecca in SoCal says
You’re a night owl who sees sunrises? Sounds like you’re burning the candle at both ends. You are a dynamo, I must say.
And with that, it’s bedtime!
Donna says
Thanks for sharing both the pictures and words. Gorgeous sunrise and sunset.
Diana Grindel (Casoppia) says
Either sunrise or sunset is a time for reflection of what’s ahead or what’s undone. But then to just sit as my dog and I do sometimes early am or late night to listen to the surrounding birds, bullfrogs etc… to close the mind to all but nature … Now that is a relaxing time and its all good !!!
Thanks for sharing the pictures and memories. Made me think of my time in the summers with my grandparents. Gosh how I miss them now to share what I have found/done and will find and will do ….