Early Bird

Early bird gets the worm.  That never enticed me to get up before I needed to...who wants worms?  The only reason...and I mean ONLY reason I get out of bed is to have my cup of coffee.  If there's not coffee, I could easily stay in bed all day, shouting orders to my children to bring me food, a new People Magazine, and more wine.

Unfortunately, my oldest child is an early bird.  She always has been...and I fear that even as a teenager she will be up before dawn.  And the worst part isn't that she's up.  It's that she's happy.  My son is usually trailing her down the stairs, but, like me, he'd rather still be asleep and came downstairs only because he was woken up.  He sits in a daze on the couch, silent.  Staring.  But Sophie, like the rising sun, is bright and her beams of happiness reach out to brighten those around her. 

"What are we doing today?  Did you remember to sign that sheet?  Can I have a sleepover tonight?  I had a dream about bunnies living in our backyard and when I went outside they asked if I wanted to play.  They were so cute!  Do you have glitter for my poster?  Can I work on it now?  Where are the markers?..."

Only, I haven't had my coffee yet and I don't want to be brightened.  And at some point I can't take it anymore.  And, as much as, at any other point in the day, I want to listen and respond in a kind manner, my caffeine-deprived brain explodes in frustration and over stimulation and I yell, "SOPHIE!  PLEASE. STOP. TALKING!!"  And then, for just a second, there's silence.  And she's broken.  And so is my heart.