Sunday Scribblings: Sleep

......Before I Sleep

It is way past my bed-time. I should already be in the arms of sleep, but here I am, stretched on my living-room couch, a soft chennille throw around my knees, laptop resting on top, as I tap out the words that will send me, as soon as I've hit the "publish" button, to make my preparations for my night's sleep.

I'll wander the house flicking blinds closed, switching off kettle and microwave, turning keys. I'll gather the pile of newspapers that sit on my coffee-table and move them to the kitchen. I may pause at the study window to check whether the moon is visible tonight, and if it is, if the garden is illuminated at all, my gaze is likely to pause a little while at Trixie's resting place. Before I sleep most nights, sometimes silently, often in a whisper I will say "Miss you, Girlie".

I will do the tooth-brushing and the face-cleaning, gather my spectacles and mobile phone up, and check the front-door is locked properly before I move to the stairs.

These nights, my pyjamas are big, loose, softly-brushed cotton, in pale green with sprigs of pink flowers. Cosy, comfy, winter pyjamas. If the night is really frosty, I may take my ric-rac rainbow afghan and spread it over the centre of my bed, to add a layer of extra weight and warmth to the light and airy duvet that usually covers me. I am always glad to slip between the Egyptian cotton sheets that I love. They are cool at first, and smooth, but then as they warm, they offer such comfort, such pleasure.

Two books rest on the shelf behind my bed, one to write, and one to read. The reading is from a daily devotional book with Baha'i readings called "Nearness to God". My Gratitude Notebook (#7) receives a paragraph, or sometimes a bulleted list of 10 things for which I am grateful today. Tonight it will read:

Saturday, 16th February, 2008: Tonight I am grateful for A, for her travelling despite the problem with her car, for her determination to not let me down. I'm grateful for the wonderful breakfast we shared, and that we got to town to meet K for coffee. I'm grateful for the exhibition of photos we got to see, and the special book I found to take home. I'm grateful for the laughter we shared as we watched Ratatouille. I'm grateful for the lady in the art shop who cut the cards I needed at short notice. I'm grateful for the food I had in the fridge that allowed me to put together such a strange but satisfying dinner for us. I'm grateful for the happiness A has in her life, and I am grateful for her presence in mine.

I will close the books, return them to their shelf, slip my glasses into their case, leave my wristwatch on the shelf beside my phone, I'll rub some ointment on my feet and hands, turn off the light, and turn on my side, snuggle down into my wonderful bed, and allow myself to slip easily and gladly into sleep.
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Other Sunday Scribblings on the topic of Sleep will be found Here.