I saw it when they were next to each other — my friend in her kayak and the robin in flight — both arriving in the same palette, so gently in the colors of yes. 

And I had to smile because it occurred to me, isn’t that every morning? We are welcomed into the positive of each day, if we choose to see it that is… And I know some days are easier than others — oh, so much easier — but each possible still. 

I was a teenager when it was in fashion, knowing your color palette. I was at Herberger’s with my mother, waiting excitedly outside her dressing room curtain. When the attendant came in to check on her, I had to suppress a laugh — there wasn’t a clerk who knew better than my mom did. But I tightened my lip as she asked how it was going. Is it your season? She asked. Apparently we were all supposed to be either a spring, summer, autumn or winter, though I hadn’t heard about it yet. And why would I need to? I had eyes. And I had my mother! My mother asked for a minute, as she tucked and accessorized. The clerk looked at me and asked, “and what are you?” I looked confused. “What’s your color palette?” She continued. Having no idea about the seasons, I gave it some thought, and joyfully, clearly, said, “I’m a morning.”  Before the clerk could finish saying that’s not a thing, my mother popped her head out of the curtain and said, “We both are!” Yes, I smiled. And it was settled. 

There will always be a they to tell you something different. To tell you no. But you get to decide. Every day. Every day that morning will break gently, that morning bird will arrive, and each day will whisper so many things, but listen, listen to the arrival of every color, because it always begins with yes.