My Sunrises in the Countryside
As the years go by, many older adults find themselves waking up earlier—sometimes even before the sun peeks over the horizon. Far from being a nuisance, this natural change in sleep patterns becomes a blessing: a silent, serene routine in which the world seems to pause for a few moments.
Science explains it: as we age, our biological clock shifts forward, which leads us to fall asleep earlier and awaken with the first light of day. Yet, beyond biology, there is a quiet wisdom in that awakening. Those calm hours are not just another part of the day; they represent a refuge, a space to pray, reflect, give thanks… and listen as life begins again.
In my case, sunrises hold a sacred place as a natural altar where everything makes sense. On my rural land, beside an old Caracolí tree—firm and generous—that guards my memories and shelters my silences under its immense branches, which spread like protective arms, the countryside slowly begins to awaken… and I am moved as I live that unforgettable moment.
Surrounded by flowers and accompanied by the constant movement of the leaves, stirred by breezes coming from the Sierra Nevada, everything seems to breathe with perfect harmony. The air is clean, the light arrives without haste, and the soul grows still, as if God were walking quietly beside me.
The guayacán trees, covered in lilac blossoms, bestow a renewing beauty upon the morning and offer us their wood—highly valued for its extraordinary combination of strength and endurance. Each flower speaks to me of resilience, of the ability to be reborn after drought, to bloom after silence. They do not bloom by chance, but as a reward for patient waiting, as a testimony of a root that never gave up. As I contemplate them, I understand that life does not always show itself when we call for it, but it instead when we need it most. In its firm tenderness, I learn that the soul can also bloom when it finds the light, even after long winters.
Filled with wonder, I watch the land come to life with a rhythm that softens the heart. The rooster’s crow tears through the silence like an ancient psalm. The dogs cross the patio with a calm gait, and the cows approach the corral. Milking begins, and the slow drip of milk into the pail held between the farmer’s knees seems like a prayer the earth offers to the heavens. Farther off, the rice field waits for the water to begin flowing, flooding the furrows, waking the roots with its blessed freshness.
That is God touching the crops with invisible hands!
Amid this magnificent spectacle, my loved ones—those who are still with me and those who have passed—live in every corner of this sensitive landscape: in the lilac flowers, in the warm milk, in the flowing water, in the breeze that dances among the branches. All that orchestra of emotions is there, without boasting, just as faith is silent, steadfast, and present.
With the passing of time, I no longer chase the clock. I like to let the breezes cover me and allow their subtle caress to envelop me. From that marvelous contact arise the verses that illuminate my soul and give it breath. Everything makes sense.
Today, I walk with the calm of one who has learned to listen to time instead of chasing it. In each sunrise, I discover a quiet encouragement; I no longer need great certainties—it’s enough for me to hear a bird’s song, to see the color of a flower, to rest beneath the protective shadow of the blooming guayacán tree.
I have come to understand that hope does not always come from the outside; sometimes, it awakens silently within the soul, stirred by the fruitful grace of the Creator, whose silent presence fills me with peace.
Ricardo Gutiérrez is an economist and entrepreneur with extensive experience in various sectors. His life has been marked by professional commitment, faith, and family. Fifty years ago, he married Elsy Dangond, with whom he has built a strong family, raising three children and seven grandchildren. Educated by the Jesuits in Colombia, his education strengthened his principles and trust in God. His faith is his daily guide, inspired by a wise Spanish priest and symbolized by the crucifix before which he prays each day. For him, Jesus Christ is the true architect of his achievements.
