I am a night owl. It is in my genes¾I inherited this tendency from my parents. It was not uncommon for Mom and Dad to be up drinking coffee at all hours of the night into the early morning. So from when I was quite young, it seemed normal to me for adults to be still awake at midnight or later. In fact, my parents were such notorious night owls that my cousin would often stop by for a cup of coffee on his way home from hanging out with college friends. He knew that  the coffee pot would be on  even at one o’clock in the morning.

When I was in grade school. I went to bed at a normal hour of the night. As I got older, my bedtime became later and later.

Now, my bedtime is the same day as I wake up. Not too long ago, It occurred to me that most people probably go to bed the day before the rise the next day¾I don’t.

Even when I was still working and had to be up by  5:45 in the morning, my bedtime was around 1 am.

Yes, I was tired the next day¾and often had to take a nap when I got home from school.

Being a night owl seems to be my fate. I would love to go to bed at a much earlier time. I have even tried to reform myself with little result. If I go to bed earlier, I find myself lying awake until my “falling asleep” time comes. And yes, I am still tired the next day. Sometimes I convince myself to get out of bed by promising myself a nap later in the day.

The lateness of my bedtime has become harder to hide, thanks to computer technology that time stamps my emails and blog posts. I used to feel embarrassed by the lateness of the hour when I finally called it a night. But a curious thing has happened. Other night owls have come forth and admitted their nocturnal habits. It is like we are a secret society without the handshake and funny hats. A few have even suggested that we meet as we while away the early hours of the morning.

So, why do I stay up so late? I am sure that  I have a night owl gene. But I also feel that I am much more creative as night turns into early morning. I think that I also crave some alone time-¾
an hour or two  that are mine alone: To read, watch what I like on TV and do crossword puzzles.

My only problem with being a night owl ( other than finding  the first few hours after dawn painfully early) is that there is a sanctity that is bestowed on the early riser. They are considered somehow to be superior to those of us who cuddle up with our pillows until mid morning. The early morning is often described as tranquil and magical.

Well, I am here to testify that the early morning ¾very early morning ( like one or two a.m.) is lovely too. The air is soft  and the night sky is studded with stars. The quiet of the night is peaceful . There are birds that sing in the soft velvet of the very early morning and some flowers even bloom only at night.

I remember one time the next door neighbor of our childhood home said to my Mom, “Joanne , you should have been up this morning!”

My Mom answered, “Why, what happened?”

“Nothing,” said the neighbor.

“Then why should I get up to see nothing happen?” Mom retorted.

Well said , Mom. You were indeed a wise woman!