Another Gift

The cat nudged Me tentatively this morning as I still was lying prone in mt bed hugging the pillow. At first, there was a gentle nudge with His paw. With no response, He proceeded to His second well practiced motion and started to knead upon my side allowing a stray claw to push into my flesh through my nightgown. I opened My eyes.
I could see light coming through the windows, fresh with just a touch of the night still clinging to it but the Day had put it's imprint solidly in place. As I moved to view the green eyed Beauty that had awakened me, My hand found Him first tracing his sleek outline from head to tail. I was rewarded by a gentle nuzzle before He hopped from the bed awaiting my preparation of His morning feast. I resolutely swung my legs to the side and spied my walking clothes that were set out the night before. I was apprehensive but still donned them. With all three of My eager felines munching at their bowls, I exited the kitchen and walked out through the garage.
The air was fresh and cool upon me as I took in the Day and it's Morning Majesty. The houses burst into colors as I strode by them an illusion that could only be seen in the dawn before the mechanical imprint of Man would mask it with His activities that would blur and dull the hues of an Earth that had silently rested and renewed itself. I righted myself and pushed forward.
At the end of my yard I saw the wild, black eyed susans skirting the edging into an oak and scattered upon the lawn. At the turn were morning glories planted from years gone by trailing wildly through the grasses and displaying the palest of blue. As I edged further onward, the blue flowers were intermingled with daisies that stood proud and tall springing from the sides of an ancient culvert that had now dried but still bore wonder. I tucked that seen into My memory.
As I hit my stride upon the main tarmac the white cattle fence took on a glow as it sloped towards the waters of the Pond. Most activity had already played itself out at this time and only a few cranes stood at the murky edges. The still waters still hinted of life as I saw the ever widening ripples from the fish come to the top of the pond to feed. The horses and Cattle had moved up into the field and were lazily munching on their breakfast with the Farmhouse and Barn upon the Hill as a backdrop. It was a lovely, pastoral scene. I pulled my shoulders back anticipating the second leg of my journey and found my arms moving in synchrony to improve my balance. My once injured knee took to the turns satisfactorily reassuring Me that it's healing was complete.
As I made my halfway circle once more I could see the sunlight brushing upon the treetops of my heavily wooded environment inducing a prayer of Morning 'Thanks.' Though short, it was complete with familiar names ticked off rapidly from a bowed head with a final "Thank You' and 'Amen.' Another chance to right my wrongs was given to Me and it was only fitting that I give the credit to the One who had allowed Me this extra morning. It was truly another gift.
There was no haze rising from the creek as I once more passed it but the chirping of the frogs had taken hold being replaced by the night calls of the crickets. I beheld a sky of deep blue bedecked by Brilliant white clouds as I raised my head to take in this unique and yet familiar event and found a lightness creeping into my Heart that had been worn and battered this past week. Everything was as it should be and I was a player on it's stage unsure of which act that I was in but a part of it nonetheless.
My home of red brick now stood before me with white shutters and railings welcoming Me forward. I took one more look down to the end of the street to see the forest bathed in light as it sloped to the ravine and turned into my driveway. As I entered the House I could see the cats lying in the sunlight that streamed through the livingroom window. Surfeited, they had found the perfect place for their early morning nap. I turned back towards the kitchen and poured a cup of coffee.