I was up last night around one o'clock. I often am when I can't sleep because old memories haunt me or simply because I need a drink or, conversely, a pee. Last night it was the rain that woke me up. It was a soft and steady rain and I opened the window to listen to it, and the pitter-patter sent me off to sleep again.
Now it's just after seven o'clock and I've woken up to brilliant sunshine and the sound of birds, and all I can think of is "Oh, What A Beautiful Mornin'". It's one of those rare moments when I'm consciously grateful to be alive for no other reason than just that - being alive.
And as I stand in the bright sunlight in my favourite corner of the kitchen where the kettle and the toaster await to help me make a hot cup of coffee laced with milk and a buttered toast with plum jam, all I can add to it is "I've got a beautiful feelin', everything's goin' my way".
