Each morning, as I ready myself for the day, I watch “Good Morning America” and find the amount of activity immediately behind Robin Roberts and George Stephanopoulos quite fascinating. Headquartered in one of the world’s great cities, the program’s studio incorporates massive windows that frame the buzz of humanity and nonstop commerce that is New York City.

I often wonder what people around our nation see and hear when they wake up. Imagine a fisherman living in a Gulf port city, looking out on the effects of an oil spill that has changed his livelihood and any optimism he may have held for his future employment. Or a mother in a public housing unit in Chicago, hurrying down crime-ridden streets as she makes her way to a subway stop. Or a Minnesota farmer scanning the horizon, hoping a summer storm will not knock down his crop of wheat.

I wake up each morning at the end of a quiet road, look out on the edge of a Pacific Northwest forest, and listen for a spotted towhee that makes his home in nearby brush. I’m not sure how he got the job, but it is his call that not only greets me, but seems to signal to the other birds that it is time to start the day.

Wanting to know more about this fellow, I discovered a wonderful website created by the highly regarded Department of Ornithology at Cornell University. Winner of the 14th Annual Webby Awards, the “All About Birds” website is filled with delightful information beautifully presented to anyone with even a remote interest in birds.

While I rarely catch a glimpse of my backyard towhee because his coloring matches the brush where he resides, the website provided me with exquisite photos, recordings of his call for complete verification, maps of his range, and scores of other inviting information. There is a downloadable poster of common feeder birds in the west, information on ways to attract birds to your yard, a place to report interesting sightings, and much more. It’s a veritable playground for those whose imaginations are piqued by our feathered friends and I highly recommend it.

Waking up can be glorious or tortuous, depending on what is happening in your life. You may be waking to the ruffling sound of diapers as your little one hurries down the hall after crawling out of the crib you hoped would contain him. You may experience a rush of tension and excitement as you realize this is the day for your big job interview. This may be the day you start chemotherapy or drive to SeaTac to begin a much-anticipated summer vacation. Perhaps you will roll over, only to realize all over again this will be another day without your longtime mate.

God tells us in the Bible that while He cares for the birds of the field, He cares even more about us. He provides personal inspiration and places people in our lives to offer support and love. He draws near. Let’s look and listen for Him.

Reach Joan Bay Klope at faithfulliving@hotmail.com.