I don’t watch sunrises. It is not in my genes. My genes love the night and the dark. It is under the the cover of darkness when I feel MOST awake. Mornings? Not so much! Mornings are for sleeping, or waking up.
But every once in a while, I like to do something different. To challenge myself, and on this one, I decided I would watch a sunrise…….on purpose.
Oh, it wasn’t easy. I tried to recruit my daughter and her boyfriend to go with me the night before. Told them to come to the hotel at 545am to pick me up. Of course they didn’t answer my call or text at 545am…..nor did they wake up before dawn (not even close).
I decided since I was awake (and determined) I would go see it on my own. I left my sleeping husband and children. I crept in the quiet through the hotel lobby. I took the car under a midnight sky. I drove past the base of Fort Sill, out into the Witchita Mountains of Oklahoma. On one side of the sky, stars twinkled high above, and on the other side of the sky, a blaze of color was rising.
I got anxious I wouldn’t make it to a stopping point. I kept looking from light to dark – wondering how close the race would be. Then, I ended up at a barrier. The top of Mount Scott did not open until 9am. Way after dawn. There was no way to get to the top to watch the sunrise (my brilliant plan).
Not to be deterred (I would SEE a sunrise!), I back-tracked to Lake Lawtonka.
I parked and walked down a street towards the lake. It was the closest I could get without being barred from getting closer.
This is where I ended up waiting.
And I didn’t miss it.
I got to watch every glorious moment of the sun rising.
As it moved inch by inch above the horizon.
At the base of Mount Scott on a mild morning in May.
I raced in the dark to witness the breaking. I navigated a dark path I had not navigated before. I set out to SEE the return of the sun.
A new time.
A new moment.
Alive and awake right before my eyes.
I sought the dawn.
And the dawn touched a place inside my soul that needed RENEWAL.
It needed to know the joys I had forgotten. The joys I let go of.
The joys of rebirth.
The joys of magic.
The joys of a new day.
The joys of a fresh start.
The joy of knowing no matter what your past, or your future holds……our purpose is not to END.
But to begin.
I embraced the stillness of the dawn. I let it cover me in encouragement and shine into the dark places.
What I thought meant to end? Only meant to become.
My dear blog, how I have missed you. I hope you don’t mind the make-over.
“Death is not extinguishing the light; it is only putting out the lamp because the dawn has come.”
Rabindranath Tagore quotes
For those that said I would be back? You were right! After three months, a new simpler design, and a pledge to combine both photography, writing, and family. I have returned with much JOY and thanksgiving.
Absolutely beautiful photos! Welcome back! So glad you’ve returned and am looking forward to more amazing creativity. I’ve been on blogging “hiatus” since March, but my re-entry into the blog-o-sphere hasn’t been at all stunning like yours. You are an inspiration! Thank you for sharing.
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I knew you’d be back!!! I loved seeing this in my inbox this morning! Xxxxoooo
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Agree Amiable that this is a great photo,very clear,detailed and nice captured.
https://www.acuprice.com/
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I have, indeed, missed your wonderful photographs and enlightening words. Welcome back, Angelia.
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Welcome back! Your pictures of the sunrise are glorious, and aren’t sunrises wonderful things to witness?!
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Yay! Love these photos. The new look is awesome. So glad you’re branching out with photography, writing, etc…a blog should encompass all the hostess delights!
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Amazing photos!!! 🙂
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Welcome back! The photos are absolutely stunning as always!
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These images are stunning! I would say that you have come back with a big BANG! 🙂
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So glad to see your return! You have discovered the beauty of a sunrise and captured it perfectly both in prose and pictures! I remain a morning man and am always up pre-dawn so for me, each sunrise literally starts my day! Be careful – it might be habit forming. 🙂
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YAY!!!! I’m so glad your blog is back! It made my morning to see it waiting in my inbox – and it brought tears to my eyes – beautiful as always my friend!
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Yay for rebirth and renewal! And yay for the return of Angelia.
♥Spot
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Wonderful words and beautiful pictures. I so enjoy your blogs!
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Sadly, I get to see the sunrise every morning…right in my eyes as I drive toward it into work.
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Welcome back 🙂 Beautiful photos and looking forward to more to come.
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Welcome back! Love the new look blog and these photos are gorgeous!
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THIS IS ME, TOO: “I don’t watch sunrises. It is not in my genes. My genes love the night and the dark. It is under the the cover of darkness when I feel MOST awake. Mornings? Not so much! Mornings are for sleeping, or waking up.”
I am glad your back. I don’t mind the make-over, but I am not crazy about it. But I don’t care what it looks like, I am glad your back!!!!!!
I missed you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Oh, yeah, and beautiful pictures. (I almost forgot I was so excited you are back!)
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Beautiful! So glad you’re back!
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Thanks Thoughtsy! I declare a pop tart day to celebrate!
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Welcome home! The pics are STUNNING! I’m sure it was SO worth the wait to capture them. If it inspired you to come back I THANK those images!
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I recaptured my joy of the world. A joy that bubbles over into my blogging. I am SO glad it’s back too. Missed ya!
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