A recent thread on X made me go to Spotify and check my top songs of the past. I played a song from the 2019 playlist - a year where everything was … nice.
I just finished residency, got into a new relationship, I was traveling, the thought of being in a pandemic never crossing anyone’s mind.
As my speakers blasted off songs on shuffle from that playlist, it felt like I was brought back to that year. A time of bliss, feelings of invincibility, of youth. A season of butterflies in the stomach, of knowing smiles, and of daydreaming about a future of end games. It’s only been almost 4 years but it felt like a lifetime has already come and gone.
As another Ben & Ben song came on, I was brought back to February of that year. My 30th birthday. I spent it with my family on the beach. And on the first morning of my 3rd decade, I woke up early and alone I watched the best sunrise of my life.
I’ve always romanticized the sunset but this was the first time that I enjoyed the sunrise. I loved it too much that I can still remember it vividly.
I remember how I regret not wearing something warmer as the cool wind blew on my face.
I remember how the colors of the dawn gave way to bright yellows, oranges, and blues. How the clouds took shape and gave some necessary shade.
I remember how the sun literally rose from the horizon to the skies above me.
Then I remember a fisherman and his son pushing their boat into the sea.
I played Sunrise on repeat thinking that it was the perfect song for that perfect moment.
And for that three precious minutes on a Monday, I was reminded that life has been good. The universe made me witness an awesome sunrise in my lifetime. I then knew that in the midst of *all these*, dawn will always give way to a glorious morning.
Sunrise, I have run this far
Still, I find you
Sunrise, show my weary heart
That a new day will soon arrive
A new day will soon arrive
I