Dawn’s Awakening

Before dawn breaks, Grandma Stella finds solace in the serene silence of the world, comforted by the gentle sounds of nature waking up.

Did you ever wake up before dawn, when the world is silent and still wrapped in a veil of darkness just before the birds begin to rise and joyously announce the birth of a new day. I sit on my old worn armchair in the bedroom and listen to the silence. I cherish that silence. My sleeping dogs’ serene breathing comforts me. I am semi-awake.

I become aware of the occasional twittering of the birds as they begin to awake. At first, it is the sound of a bird or two, but soon they all untuck their little heads from under their wings. This morning I hear the sound of gently falling rain as well. The rain washes the dust from off the foliage outside. It feels comforting.

I shut my eyes and doze momentarily. The world is beginning to awake. A car drives by. It is not in a hurry. It seems to be almost apologetic. The skies begin to lighten up, yet the world still sleeps. I rise from the chair and return to my bed. I curl up in a comfortable position, wrap myself warmly, and listen to the gentle pitter-patter of the falling rain. The comforting sound lulls me back to sleep.