early birds

  Confession # 9:  I'm not a morning person.

No matter how early I go to sleep, I stagger out of bed every morning, bleary eyed and squinting in the light like a drunk at last call. 

And I'm bitter for those first few minutes of the day.

I understand at a fundamental level that the "early bird gets the worm", and that so much can be accomplished in the early hours of the day.  I know that productive people get everything done that they need to because they get up early and begin about their tasks while day is still young. I have become one of those people.  3 children and a job that starts at 7am mandates that my body wakes up at 6 am every day, even on holidays. Earlier if my youngest child demands it.
I am an early riser now by neccessity.

But I don't have to like it.

My husband has learned to quietly maneuver around me, and not speak unless spoken to, lest my fury at being awake in the early morning hours before sunlight has kissed the earth, be unleashed upon him.  

He's a good man, that man of mine.

I don't understand people who wake up refreshed, energized and ready to conquer the day at the crack of dawn.  And.... then I married one.  And then I gave birth to two.

Only my oldest, Jamie (child of my heart) is made very much like me. She is a "night hawk". She can stay up late with ease, and be at her best no matter how far past her bed time it is. 

But, regardless of the time when she finally sets her head down on the pillow and surrenders to deep slumber she is slow, bitter and un-manageable in the morning.

Unfortunately, with 3 out of 5 Walmsleys being early risers the majority rules.  We are up and at it early almost every day of the week.  3 are perfectly happy about this and 2 deal with it as best they can.

I thank God for a family that tolerates the worst in each other while also bringing out the best!