I used to loathe mornings. I was a total nighthawk until my late twenties and getting up early meant around ten. For the past several years my days have begun at six, which means getting up at quarter to five to be ready.

It was hard for the first couple of months but now I'm up by six even on my days off. I've come to covet my mornings as a time to do as I please. Some mornings it's a wake and bake, others I play with the dog, and sometimes I just revel in the quiet that surrounds my house, knowing it won't last long.