The Freshness of the Day

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“When you arise in the morning, think of what a precious privilege it is to be alive – to breathe, to think, to enjoy, to love.” – Marcus Aurelius

We spent this last weekend at a cabin in the woods by a bay. It was a really cool log cabin owned by some friends for decades so it was filled with relics and treasures. A long pine dining table with log benches. Cocktail swords made out of metal. Wooden storage boxes filled with candles and flashlights. Railings made of rough hewn logs. An enormous stone fireplace.

But it was true cabin. A great main room with two loft spaces for sleeping. In one loft, my brother and sister-in-law had a bed. In the other loft, there were two beds where my kids and I slept. Cooper the dog didn’t like the steep wood stairs so he slept downstairs in the great room.

Point being, it was five people and one dog in one room. A pretty large and very cool room, but none of the usual walls we are accustomed to in our homes. So I was able to witness awakening in a different way.

Cooper woke up first and I could hear the click-click of his nails on the wood floor. Once I got him fed and settled, I sat in a chair by the window. And then over the next hour, one-by-one each person stretched from sleep and came awake.

The snoring stopped, the breathing got lighter, the bodies shifted a bit side-to-side before presumably (I didn’t witness this particular moment), the eyes came open. There was an incredible freshness to the start of the day.

Outside the light started to displace the dark. The birds started chirping and whirring about.  The smooth water reflected the rising light. A fog settled heavily over the land across from the cabin and frost covered trees poked out from the top.

What a joy and honor it is to awaken and experience the newness of a day.

Early morning view of a bay with a hills rising on the other side enshrouded in fog

(photos are mine – featured photo is of the cabin and the second photo is of my view as the sun came up)

You can find me on Instagram @wynneleon and LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wynneleon/

I co-host a storytelling podcast featuring authors and artists with the amazing Vicki Atkinson. To tune in, search for Sharing the Heart of the Matter on Spotify, Apple, Amazon Music or Pocketcasts (and subscribe) or click here. Or the YouTube channel features videos of our interviews. Please subscribe!

My other projects include work as a CEO (Chief Encouragement Officer), speaking about creativity and AI through the Chicago Writer’s Association, and my book about my journey to find what fueled my dad’s indelible spark and twinkle can be found on Amazon: Finding My Father’s Faith.

74 thoughts on “The Freshness of the Day”

  1. That sounded like a wonderful weekend. That foggy lake view is gorgeous and so calm. I feel the freshness from that photo!

    There is something charming about staying together in one big open space like a cabin. I bet Cooper enjoyed it too.

    Enjoy your week ahead and happy February!

    Liked by 2 people

  2. Your weekend sounds delightful. I agree that waking up in a different place surrounded by different people can create the most memorable and oddly peaceful experience. I’m glad you noticed it and shared it here.

    Liked by 2 people

  4. What a beautiful place. We go away as a family to a holiday park in the UK. With cabins in the woodland. Together with about 1,000 other bodies.

    It isn’t as bad as it sounds! But as a family it’s a humbling experience. Two grandchildren – we all share their ‘parenting’ we all share the food prep, we all do our own thing, we do things together.

    But I’d rather be in your cabin looking out at that view!

    Liked by 1 person

  5. You described an experience I have not had, except with individuals and my children, but then one on one and in a home or hotel. Remarkable. Thank you, Wynne.

    Liked by 1 person

  7. Your second photo inspired my soul, depicting a world at peace . . . the world I pray we will leave for our children someday to enjoy and continue. Thank you Wynne.

    Keep Looking Up ^ . . . His Best is Yet to Come!

    Liked by 2 people

  14. No offense, but it would have been a bit creepy if you’d witnessed the opening of the eyes part. Imagine the terror, waking up and finding someone standing over your bed, watching you while you sleep!

    Liked by 2 people

  16. You brought back memories of our cabin in Robe on the Stilliguamish River. My mom and dad built it before they had us kids. It also was a one-room cabin with a loft. We slept downstairs on bunkbeds while mom and dad had the loft. Yes, it had steep wooden stairs and a huge fireplace, too.

    Liked by 1 person

      1. Yes. We have the property, but tore down the cabin. It attracted a wild crowd who tried to burn it down several times after breaking in and trashing it. (It was too wet to burn fortunately except for a wall and floor. ) The property belongs to my brother and I now but we rarely use it. Standing is the fireplace.

        Liked by 1 person

  24. Lovely feelings evoked with this nostalgia, Wynne. We had a real log cabin too and Wonderful memories there as well. I couldn’t help but think of the scraping, breaths and feeding and marvel you didn’t think it a little too close for comfort. Lol beautiful shots! ❤️

    Liked by 1 person

  25. I like the imagery in this part: “Cooper woke up first, and I could hear the click-click of his nails on the wood floor. Once I got him fed and settled, I sat in a chair by the window. Then, over the next hour, one by one, each person stretched from sleep and came awake. The snoring stopped, the breathing grew lighter … the eyes opened. There was an incredible freshness to the start of the day.” Just beautiful—a perfect way to start the day.

    Liked by 1 person

  27. I love how you describe that whole experience of the cabin and the unique perspective on waking up. There’s something very peaceful and cool about being the only one awake, assuming we had slept well and woke up unprovoked😁

    Liked by 1 person

  29. What a beautiful post, an amazing cabin, and a wonderful quote, Wynne! I love your photos, and it sounds like the perfect weekend! It also reminds me of my childhood when my parents had a cabin in Big Bear, CA. So many great memories! xo

    Liked by 1 person

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