Morning Ritual

And I wake
It is dark and quiet
I tiptoe down the steps
to the kitchen
prepare my morning cup of coffee, let the dogs out
and I sit here in the silence
thinking about my life
what I have accomplished and where I am going
I reach up to the ceiling, hands outstretched
my eyes searching the white swirl pattern
and I silently whisper to God
please help me to be a good mother, I whisper
please help me to be a good wife
please bless my grandmother who is going to the doctors today
fill us with peace, Lord and forgive me.