The summers of my 18th and 19th year were spent working at the beach in Ocean City, MD. The first summer I worked as a "pool assistant" checking passes and perfecting my tan at one of the properties my Dad managed. It was a ridiculously easy job, in fact the hardest part of my day was explaining to people that I was not a lifeguard and therefore it was perfectly acceptable for me to be making friendship bracelets and listening to my headphones while on duty.
I'm a morning person now but back then I often slept in till noon. If it was suggested that I get up before the sun I would have shot the person a typical Kerry "stink face" and scoffed at the mere idea of it.
The second summer I worked at a t-shirt shop on the boardwalk and this was where I learned to appreciate the hours of morning where there are only blissful quiet sounds, where the warm sun is just coming across the horizon and even the coffee tastes better.
When possible I would try to get up early, grab my coffee and sit on the bench outside the store to watch the sunrise. Ahh the relaxation!
When it was time to open the store I would pop in one of many amazing mix tapes that my boyfriend had made me and wait for the crowds to arrive. I'm pretty sure I had a smile on my face as I watched the sun rise higher in the sky from my quiet store front.
I noticed a big difference in my attitude on the days I was able to make it to the beach before the hustle of the boardwalk began.
Before the swarms of sunburned tourists flocked to the shop, asking the most ridiculous of questions of me. In those moments I worked hard not to shoot them the aforementioned stink face, as that would have been bad for business I suppose.
Somewhere in my mind I think the quiet morning hours lingered and helped me chill a little bit.
These days it's rare that I would be up before anyone in my house. A wakes before the sun and middle school starts wicked early, so Kelsey is up not long after.
So instead I've learned to appreciate the quiet moments with my coffee before I hear sweet pea over the monitor, informing me that the sunshine is on.
The moments where I can open the window and get that first sweet scent of fresh air and enjoy the quiet of the breeze.
The quiet still hours of morning that help us prepare our minds for the day. Before the phone starts to ring, before there are places to go, before anyone needs anything from us.
Have you enjoyed the wee small hours of the morning lately? Or is the late night after everyone is in bed more enjoyable for you?
Comments