It is necessary for me to see the first point of light which begins to be dawn. It is necessary to be present alone at the resurrection of the day, in the solemn silence at which the sun appears.

–Thomas Merton

On the morning of June 10, the sun rose at4:24. I got up around 4 am, pulled my pants on top of my nightgown, put on my hat and layers of jacket, coat, vest, and drove along the streets of Anchorage looking for a place where I could see the sun rise in the north. The spot I found was on 3rd Avenue, just next to the Snow Goose Restaurant. I was there in time to see the sun emerge from the low cloud cover, just north of the parking meter.

It has been difficult to rise for sunrise these last few days before the solstice. I have been late, allowing myself to say my sunrise prayer whenever I wake up, which is usually about the time the sun peaks Jenny’s house. This morning I woke when the sun peaked Jenny’s house, thinking I would say my prayer in bed and go back to sleep. But something grabbed hold of me and pulled me out of bed. I chanted my morning chant on the front porch, did my five minute nature meditation, then put on the coffee. The day has begun! Tomorrow I hope to keep my sunrise vow and truly be up and out on the porch for the crack of dawn.

I have to get over the voice in my tired body that says no one should have to get up this early, especially when they have stayed up to see the sunset the night before (4 hours and 38 minutes previous).