Chasing the Sunrise – Baby Laughs and Morning Sun
- Francia Groman
- Nov 7
- 5 min read
There’s a special kind of magic in the early morning. When the world is still, the sky painted with soft pinks and golds, and the only sound is the quiet hum of possibility. I find myself drawn to the sunrise—not just for the beauty, but for the sense of renewal it brings. It’s become my sacred time for yoga, a daily ritual that grounds me as life keeps shifting around me.
For years, I’ve been chasing the sunrise. Always looking for something—peace, clarity, a sense of purpose—believing I'll be happy when (fill in the blank), believing It was all just beyond the horizon. But lately, I’m realizing that what I’ve been seeking has been here all along: in the laughter of my sons, in the warmth of family, in the smiles of gratitude from my students and in the quiet moments on my mat.
As I roll out my mat and settle into those first few breaths, memories of my sons as little boys fill my heart. The baby laughs, the sleepy snuggles, the wide-eyed wonder at every new day.
Sometimes I ache for those simpler mornings, when their little voices filled the house and the future felt so far away.
It feels like just yesterday I was chasing them through the house, all of us giggling as the morning sun spilled through the windows. Now, the laughter echoes differently—softer, sometimes tinged with longing.
But little boys don’t stay little, and somewhere between sunrises, my sons became young men. Their laughter deeper, their hugs so much stronger, their worlds expanding far beyond the walls of our small family home. I couldn't be more proud of them, yet part of me still grieves what’s gone, even as I celebrate who they are becoming.
Motherhood, I’ve learned, is a constant lesson in holding on and letting go.
Yoga has taught me to honor these transitions. Just as each sunrise marks a new beginning, each stage of motherhood brings its own lessons and joys—and its own heartbreak. On my mat, I practice letting go—of expectations, of clinging to the past, of wishing time would slow down or wishing for some sort of change. Some days, I do this with grace. Other days, I find myself in tears before I even reach Savasana. But I keep showing up, breathing in gratitude for the moments I’ve been gifted, and finding peace in the beautiful unfolding of all of life’s seasons.
This winter, I will not be visiting the Sivananda Ashram in the Bahamas, so my sunrises will look different. I already feel the loss of this yearly ritual deeply—the ocean air, the sense of belonging, the way the sunrise seemed to wash everything clean. Instead, I’ll be watching the sun rise between neighboring homes through my window in Maryland. It’s quieter, much simpler, a lot less grand, and perhaps even mundane. But I have all winter to, as my son Kendrick expressed, on our latest episode of “Namaste & Nonsense,” to love and find beauty in these small, everyday moments.
You can listen to the full Episode Here:
So, as the days grow shorter, I’m reminded that his perspective to "love the little things" and mine to "not sweat the small stuff", hold truth—sometimes it’s about soaking up every tiny joy, AND realizing it's all small stuff as we let go of what we can’t control. Either way, it’s these small moments and gentle shifts in mindset that help us move through even the heaviest seasons with a little more lightness.
As the cold darkness of winter comes to visit, and the mornings arrive wrapped in frost, it can be hard to find the same lightness that bright, hot summer brings. Some mornings, it takes everything I have just to roll out my mat. But with the support and presence of my own wonderful teacher, Alexandra Santos; even on the coldest and grayest days, I return, trusting that each sunrise—no matter how faint—holds hope and renewal. I remind myself that it’s okay to feel heavy, to miss what once was, and to still show up for myself.
I've been finding love in many little moments. Like how in the morning, as I move through my practice, my youngest son, Xavier—the last high school senior—stirs in the kitchen. His presence and movements break the silence, and I’m so grateful for it, even when it competes for my attention or interrupts my meditation. I warm the chilly air with our familiar send-off: “Shine your light so bright it’s blinding,” words I’ve called out for years to all my boys as they headed out the door for school. Or the days when I get all bundle up to walk our dogs, Xena and Yucatán, with Kendrick when he's not working or at school. We have the best conversations and inspiration often strikes for our next podcast episode as the pups sniff their way through the neighborhood. These simple moments are gifts with a looming expiration date. Xavier will graduate and go off to college, Kendrick will move out or travel the world. I don’t take a single sunrise—or a single moment—for granted.
If you, like me, find yourself also navigating change—watching children grow, starting a new chapter, or simply feeling the passage of time—I invite you to join me in greeting the sunrise.
Let your yoga practice become a space for reflection, acceptance, and gentle celebration of where you are right now.
Some days will be easy. Some days will be heavy. All of it is real, and all of it is worthy of your presence. Because in the end, every sunrise is a reminder: we can’t hold onto yesterday, but we can embrace today with open arms and an open heart—even when it aches.
If this message resonates with you, I’d love to welcome you to our Ahimsa Wellness Yoga community. Whether you’re new to yoga or returning to your mat, join me for a class—online or in person—and let’s greet some sunrises together. You can explore upcoming classes, access our library of recorded sessions, or simply reach out and share your story.
Visit ahimsawellnessyoga.com to learn more, or send me a note —I’m always here, and happy to support your journey.
As we chase the sunrise and savor life’s simple joys, why not bring that spirit into your evening, too?
Join me for a special Stretch & Sip event at Black Rock Center for the Arts on Thursday, November 13th, from 6–8pm. We’ll unwind with gentle yoga, share laughter, and toast to new beginnings.
Reserve your spot here:
Let’s keep the light shining together—see you on the mat!
With love and light, Francia
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