My Dad was always one to get up in the morning and when I say morning, we are talking the 5 AM-5:15AM variety.  His routine usually consisted of working at the kitchen table, shaving, and sometimes sitting and admiring the dawn of a new day.  I never understood why sitting there seemed so peaceful until I became an adult. Everyone needs that recharge time whether it is in the morning, or at night.  It’s different for everybody.  It is a couple of moments of peace and solitude during the day and I have learned to cherish it as an adult.

I never really took the time to appreciate the sunrise until my Dad died.  I never really saw what he saw in it.  Since he died, I try to make this a practice once a week which isn’t hard since I get up early in the morning like he used to.  And I can finally see what he saw.  Nothing else really matters when you see the bright blue sky with the golden sun on the horizon and the mixture of vibrant pink and orange hues in the distance.  You can’t help but stare.  For me, it lets me know that maybe some of the things in my life that I take too seriously I shouldn’t be.  For others it focuses my attention on things that need it.  It takes no more than 15 minutes a day, but I have found just like my Dad, it can be the most valuable 15 minutes in a day.

To be honest most of the time, I think about him.  What is he doing?  Where is he?  Can he see what I see?  It is the same questions, that no one will ever know the answers to.  It’s important to take a little time for yourself each day.  Everyone is busy, but what my Dad taught me is absolutely necessary to maintain order and sanity in each day.  I thank my Dad for teaching me this all important lesson.

What did your Dad or loved one teach you about taking time for yourself?

Always a friend to listen,

Eric Tomei-author I Miss My Dad

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