Other than the ceiling fan's swirling hum the universe is still.
The bed has fresh sheets smelling clean and new.
Sarah shifts as I fold my hands behind my head to listen to the bird singing in the darkness.
A choir of frogs unexpectedly burp out their own Hymns quieting the bird and I wonder if anyone else in the world is listening.
Somehow knowing I'm awake, Goddess meanders in from the landing where she's been sleeping and pants beside my side of the bed until I reach over and rub her backside.
The frogs complete their celebration of praise and the night resumes silence.
"You should pray," my long dead Grandmother tells me and I can see her silhouette in the darkness smiling at me.
Though I haven't seen her in years I fiercely love Grandma Carver so I do as I'm told.
"Hey God," I say out loud in my mind, "thank you for Sarah. I don't know what my life would be without her. My kids and her girls too ..." and I clearly see each of their faces.
Sarah rolls over towards Winston who sleeps on her other side.
A parade of people I love march through my prayer as I commend them to God's love and care.
Judy and John, Cheryl and Jodee, Conner and Hania, Terry, Sandy, Bill Berry ...
An hour later I wake because a choir of birds are greeting the rising sun.
Prayer puts me to sleep ... I think to myself ... and can't help but wonder if that's what Grandma Carver wanted to accomplish all along.
I kiss Sarah's cheek, crawl out of bed and Goddess and Gypsy the cat follow me down the dark staircase to the outdoor shower.
Mars brightly shines through Palm trees as hot water rains down on me.
Choruses of birds praise the new day in every direction accompanied by frogs and the sounds of waves crashing on the shore.
Back fades to grey as I make my way upstairs again, still followed by Goddess and Gypsy, and get dressed.
Kissing my sleeping wife a second time, I give the pets treats and wander downstairs again towards my bicycle for the ride to the "Breakfast Club" for coffee and community.
It's one of the things I love about the island.
There's no better way to start the gift of another day of life.
