My Ode to Sundays

I haven't gone to church in a few years.  But Sundays are always quiet for me.  I never listen to rap or punk rock on Sundays (which are staple genres in my iTunes).  I have to listen to Coltrane or Nick Drake or something equally as calming and respectful of the day.  I turned on T.I. this morning.  For two songs.  And turned it off.  I opened my balcony doors and listened to the birds and water instead.

Growing up, Sundays were always special.  We'd come home from church and my mama would make roast beef, potatoes, carrots, and rolls.  Lunch was usually followed by an afternoon nap.

But my favorite napping place -- in all of the world so far -- was on the floor in our sunroom when I was growing up.  The carpet was grass green (It was the 80s.), and there was always a patch of sunlight on the floor big enough for all of my family to "pitch pallets" (or put blankets on the floor), and sleep in the sun.

At the risk of sounding like a total weirdo (Wouldn't be the first time.), this afternoon, I slept on the floor of my apartment in a patch of sunlight.  Franklin (my dog) curled up beside me and snored.  Before I fell asleep, I thought of how simplistic this act was, and how profound the joy for me.

Regardless of whether I include any religious elements or traditions into my Sundays, they will always be holy and reverent for me.

That said, I have never liked Sunday nights.  When the sun sets on Sunday, it's not the new week starting that I dread, but grief for the passing of the last week.  Yeah, that sounds dramatic.  And "grief" is a strong word.  But that's what it feels like in my gut.  Mild mourning.  'Cause what's more relevant to mourn than the passing of time?  Time that's spent wholly enjoying your world?  And Sunday nights epitomize the passing of time.  They knock me around sometimes, dude.  Make me realize how much this life is worth living.

Yeah, so I'm waxing poetic or whatever, and you're thinking, "Isn't this blog supposed to have something to do with writing?"  Right.  Absolutely.  Here's the thing: I haven't written anything more than emails and shopping lists in forever.  Too long.  I haven't wanted to, and I don't want to force myself to write.  But this Sunday, there was nothing I'd rather do than to write this post.  I sat down with nothing in my head to write, and came up with this: My Ode to Sundays.