by Jayne Bonilla

Created on: June 29, 2008

I learned long ago, that human beings can easily be referred to as "Bird Brains." I, for instance, fall in the feathered friends category and am classified as a "Night Owl." Case in point: I have elected to write this story at 2:32 in the morning. I am exhausted, yet invigorated; probably from drinking too much coffee and washing that down with a giant glass of creative juice before bedtime. Thus, bedtime has officially been postponed.

As far back as I can remember, I loved staying up late. When I was a little girl my dad worked three jobs. By the time he arrived home it was almost midnight and my mom would have a hot, home cooked meal ready for him, even at that gosh-awful hour. I would either be waiting up to see him or wake up and run down the stairs to greet him with huge hugs. I was daddy's little girl, even as a grown-up. On occasion I got to stay up and watch The Tonight Show starring Johnny Carson, squeezed between my parents in their full sized bed. Today, my husband and I treasure those same moments with our children; only late night TV has dramatically changed with its rich selection and varied genres. And our bed is king sized.

In college I'd stay up all night long, consume an entire pizza, lots of caffeinated soda and cram for my exams, only to practically sleep through my alarm on finals' day. Thankfully my roommate was another fine feathered friend~ an "Early Bird" and she would wake me just in the nick of time. She also got the worm every morning. And she was healthy, wealthy and wise. She graduated with honors while I would have been honored to even graduate.

By the time I was twenty-something, I got "Goosed" once too often, dated a few "Turkey's" and finally met my "Love Bird." We've made a permanent nest together and trust me, he's no ugly "Duckling." He still can shake a tail feather too. We are blessed with three awesome and respectful, non-fowl mouthed kids. They are the wind beneath our wings!

At thirty to forty something, I love being a mother "Hen", a freelance writer and hanging out with my friends. We watch "Chick" flicks and pull all-nighters. "Night Owl Chicks"; now that is an identity crisis in the making. As I have matured and become more reasonable, I have also become more responsible with my time management. I have realized how important sleep is for my mental, emotional and physical health. So now I sleep late, take afternoon naps, and grab some shut eye after dinner. Just so I can be a "Night Owl" at high moon. After all, I won't be getting up when the "Rooster" crows, will you? And if you happen to be reading this story at this gosh-awful hour, than join the flock. I crown thee a "Night Owl." And you know what they say? Birds of a feather flock together.

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