These days we have no need for alarm clocks ... we have our own wake up crew right in our home. Petey and his two sons Benjie and Buffy always show their joy in the new day  by singing at the top of their lungs, each one attempting to outdo the other as they compete for supremacy. Thank goodness I am a morning person because no way will they allow for  sleeping in beyond a reasonable hour. Each morning I awaken to the sound of our canaries and invariably they bring a smile to my face. ( Buffy may sound like a strange name for a boy but we were quite convinced that Buffy was a girl until he burst into song. By then, he had his name, so Buffy it is.) Being awakened to the sound of canaries singing is more than enough to motivate me to face the new day with optimism. 

Even on these winter mornings we do find reason to enjoy that time each morning and now we are even beginning to plan for the warmer days to come as spring draws closer. Before too long it will be spring cleaning time, which I actually quite enjoy as I am one of those strange creatures who actually enjoys housework, and then it will not be long before we can once more  be outdoors  working in the yard as we prepare the gardens for the spring and summer days we both so enjoy. Les loves his fish pond and seeing him sitting feeding his fish or cleaning the pond as I am working in the gardens is one of those bonuses  that comes with having the time to indulge in pastimes that in other years were a rarity and usually only a weekend diversion.

Perhaps that is why they call these years the golden years. We get to do all those things which we never had time for when we were both working, and to do them together. It does help of course if that companion also happens to be your best friend. And one with infinite patience thank goodness as I can be a pain at times with my lack of that sterling quality. When I decide to do something it always must be now ... not tomorrow or the next day .. now. Les is the complete opposite but he does make a genuine effort to indulge me ... most times. I do try to reciprocate  by not being too demanding but admit I fail more frequently than he does.

We are both aware that we will not always be able to maintain things as we do now and that there will be a day when we have to think about perhaps giving up our home in favour of  a lifestyle which is less demanding physically so perhaps that is why we thoroughly enjoy the arduous tasks which our yard and gardens demand in order to keep them as we do now. I admit I already would happily forfeit the chore of shovelling snow but giving up my gardens will be much more difficult to accept when that day arrives. We both derive such pleasure from sitting on our deck watching the squirrels, and the multitude of birds which have become frequent visitors in recent years. Perhaps that is as a result of the fact that they know food will always be awaiting them when they drop by.

All those years when we were both so busy  focusing on our careers we really didn't see the beauty around us. Yes, we both love nature and her creatures but taking the time to truly appreciate what a gift they are was often overlooked in the busy schedules with which we both were so involved. We had forgotten what pleasure could be found in simply taking the time to actually enjoy the gifts nature offers. Perhaps that is one of the most rewarding  benefits of these golden years ... being able to share a real appreciation of what was there all along if we had only taken the time to remember how we had loved them as children .

I do believe that is one of the biggest mistakes we make. Taking for granted the people or things which  make up so much of what is good in life. We become so engrossed in just coping with this modern world  that we lose sight of the many blessings which surround us. These days a sunny morning, a bird's cheery song, or even the smell of hot biscuits fresh from the oven all remind us  that life does have so many precious moments which we must not discount even in the midst of trouble or illness. Attitude truly is the key. 

Certainly there are always going to be problems. They are a part off life after all. None of us gets a free pass on this journey. But the journey can be made so much more pleasant by maintaining a positive outlook and communing with nature is one of the best prescriptions  I can think of  for assuring that you will begin your day with an eagerness to see what each new day has in store for you.

I promise you walking in the yard when the dew is still blanketing the grass and the blossoms are reaching for the sunlight  will not only see the birds eagerly greeting the morning. You will find you also are looking to the new day  with a great deal more anticipation than you might have expected.  Don't wait for retirement to give yourself this gift. Take it now. Even a few moments spent quietly savouring the fresh air, sunshine, or even a spring shower, while watching the antics of nature's creatures will begin your day with a whole new perspective.

Yes, I know during the years when we are immersed in careers and in raising our children  we are all in a rush in the morning whether it is to meet deadlines or get the kids off to school but taking those few moments for yourself will better prepare you for the day ahead and lighten the load we all carry as we cope with this busy world we have created. I promise you it's a prescription with no side effects, no service charges and guaranteed to see you facing whatever the day has in store with  a heightened awareness of life's priorities.

 Don't wait for retirement to remember to enjoy life. If I have learned nothing else through the years I have learned that each day is a gift that must be seized for no one knows how many days we are to be allowed. Putting it off till tomorrow may well mean missing out on some of the best moments of your life.