Monday, March 22, 2010

Wake up singing


The German author Berthold Auerbach wrote, "Music washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life."


This quote was resurrected from the dim corners of my memory two mornings ago when I was awakened from my slumber by the glorious sound of my son Gabriel singing as he awakened around 6:00.  


Now, anyone who knows me well will acknowledge that arising from the bed with a song in my heart is a rare occasion.  I am, in fact, a grump when I wake up and until the first jolt of caffeine begins to course through my veins I remain so.  At my age it is hard to fathom this fundamental character flaw being rectified however just as Gabriel's innocent outlook allowed me to embrace his joyous cry a few months ago of "Oh boy.  SNOW!" his morning song provides hope.


I challenge anyone suffering from the a.m. grumps to hold close the miserable attitude in the face of a 2.5 year old boy singing "Here we go round the mulberry bush on a cold and frosty morning".  My cold and frosty mental state was immediately warmed and I found myself smiling as I crawled into the shower.


So that's my self-learning for the day.  If we could all find a way to wake up singing can you imagine what a wonderful world it could be?  

My intent is to try to wash away the dust of life every morning and again I have a little boy to thank for another important life lesson.