Sunday Scribblings: My Nights

My nights are short at this time of year. When the sun rises, I often stir and come to life. I might take myself to the bathroom, and climb the stairs again usually, to slip back in between the sheets, to turn a pillow sideways, to claim another half-hour or hour in my precious bed. Sometimes, if the morning is really fresh and bright, if there is birdsong to be heard and a silvering of dew to be seen through the kitchen window, or morning mist rising, I might turn the key in the back-door and step outside for a few moments, to breathe in some of that cool air. I might begin my day early.

And if the day has begun early, I am all the more likely to allow my night to begin earlier than normal at the other end of the day. Since I find myself watching less and less television during the past few weeks, I am less often watching a program that will run on until 11.30 or midnight, so I might begin to move towards bed any time after 10.30. There's a routine, or the elements of a routine, which can be performed in different orders. There are nights I'm ironing something to wear the next day. There are nights I know I'll need to have my files prepared and packed for the next morning's work. There are nights where neither of those tasks need to be performed, and I just have to move through the rooms locking up and switching off, then spend a few minutes at the teeth-brushing, etc, before I go upstairs to my attic room and settle in for the night. I read a little scripture, write my gratitudes, and snuggle down into my bed with a "Thank you" to God for the day just passed.

I count myself as very lucky in that I seldom have difficulty getting to sleep. There have been a few times in my life when insomnia has reared its head, but I dealt with it without battling, rather with acceptance. I was lucky in that it was during times when I didn't have work commitments during the day, and I knew I could make up for lost sleep by resting next day. I passed those nights drinking cocoa, with a notebook on my lap, watching for dawn. It's a strange feeling, sitting awake when everyone else in the world seems to be sleeping. Those were probably some of the loneliest times in my life - those nights.

I sometimes have weekend nights where I stay up really late. - Watch a late, late movie or skip from blog to blog into the small hours. This isn't the same as insomnia. I think I do that because there are times where I just really like the feeling of being exhausted going to bed. It's a throw-back from teenage years, when my rebellion was to stay up later than I should. I'm a natural night-owl, although the routine of my days has caused me to modify that nature now. Maybe it's the time of my life that makes it harder for me to sleep on in the morning.

My nights these days are peaceful; my bed comfortable. My dreams are pleasant and interesting (to me!).

I've written so much about night, peace and sleep, I'm getting tired. Think it's time for bed!
'Night!!!
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Go on over to Sunday Scribblings to see who else has written about their nights.


I wrote in February for a Sunday Scribbling prompt on Sleep: Before I sleep I suppose it is a companion-piece to this, too.

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.

One Deep Breath - Sleep

It's been a long time since I posted a haiku for One Deep Breath but today, there is one I can share. This week's topic is "Sleep"

.........................In my deep, wide bed
.....................Hypnos takes me in his arms
.........................Peace, comfort - all night.

Thanks to all the participants who offer a moment's breath along with their haiku.