The Bowen Curse

It wasn’t until recently that I fell victim to. . .(dun-dun-duuun) The Curse.

It was inevitable, really. After all, there are many victims.

EXHIBIT A: When I was a kid, I loved going to Mom’s parents’ house for sleepovers. Lee and Donna Bowen were the sweetest folks! I vividly remember waking up bright and early every single morning to Grandpa (who’d been up and at ‘em for 2-3 hours already, building furniture out in the shop) whistling a merry tune and fixing breakfast for his sweetheart: poached eggs, bacon or sausage, toast, and postum. You could set your clock by it! He treated Grandma like a queen, and this was her all-time favorite breakfast. So, by golly, poached eggs, bacon or sausage, toast, and postum were on the table every morning at 7:30 sharp.

As soon as Grandpa’s catchy tune and the tantalizing breakfast aromas hit my nose, I’d jump awake and charge down their custom, gorgeous. curved stairway. If I was lucky I’d get to help take the eggs out of the (for lack of a better word) poacher cups.

<—- Poacher cups LOL

“Well, good morning, sunshine! It’s a beautiful day, isn't it?” he’d say. It didn’t matter if it was raining cats and dogs or if it was a clear blue, cloudless sky. It was always a beautiful day. And he was always happy as a clam in the mornings. “Go get dressed so you’re ready for breakfast—it’ll be ready in a jiffy!”

MJ, get on with the curse. Sheesh!

OK,, OK, sorry. I’m hungry—can you tell?

Whenever I’d ask Mom why Grandpa wakes up so early, she’d say it was because of the Marines. He woke up at 4:00am for so many years it became habit. It made sense at the time, so I left it at that. But now?

I don’t believe her.

Not for a minute.

It was The Curse, I just know it.

EXHIBIT B. As long as I can remember, Mom has woken up early. She says it was because she helped my older brother with his early morning paper route for so long, she got used to it. Then she found she enjoyed it, so she kept at it. On purpose! Even today she rolls out of bed between 5 and 6:30. Whistling or humming, just like her dad. She putters around the house or in the garden, and when we visit them (they’re in Oregon), you better believe it. Breakfast is ready at 7:30 sharp.

“Well, good morning, sunshine!” She says. “It’s a beautiful day, isn't it? Breakfast will be ready in a jiffy!” Sound familiar?

EXHIBIT C. Mom’s oldest sister, Christy, is another prime example of The Curse. Her wake time of choice? Between 3 and 4 AM. Seriously! I didn’t even know there was oxygen at that time of the night. Every morning, her sweet partner, Dan, traces the daily crossword puzzle in sharpie so his legally blind sweetheart can enjoy her puzzle. #RelationshipGoals

EXHIBIT D: Did you know robins are the first bird to rise in the mornings? They get up just before dawn. I know this because their perky, rise-and-shine, joyful songs often wake me up right along with them. At 5:15, folks. The Curse has bitten me, and I can’t help it!

You read that right. Birds wake me up.

Maybe I should try a sound machine. . .

EXHIBIT E: I have several cousins that rise at the crack of dawn too—NOT by choice, mind you.

It’s The Curse.

* * *

As I was pondering in amusement, taking inventory of my family members that have likewise fallen prey to The Curse, I had a thought. Maybe, just maybe. . .it isn’t a curse at all. Perhaps it’s a blessing in disguise. I must admit I, too, enjoy the quiet solitude and peace early mornings bring. I often read, write, or scroll mindlessly on Pinterest, ogling at all the projects I wish I had time to do.

What I need to be doing, I realize, is spending that time connecting with the Lord. I used to. Then without even noticing, I slowly fell out of the habit. Consider this my commitment to do better. To be better. That daily dose of Divinity does wonders for my soul.

Life is a whirlwind and we’re all on Team We Got This! I hope and pray you’ll find ways to make your mornings more uplifting and productive too. Let me know what works for you. I’d love to get more ideas! Have a lovely first weekend of summer, my friends. And, for those of you with kids still in school, enjoy that too!

Love, MJ