5 of 20

Write now Article Tools

A Mom's Goodnight

I startle awake and find myself on the couch again. The lights are off. The television still on but barely audible. I remember now, it was a trick I play with myself.

"I won't fall asleep on the couch again but the TV is just too loud," I tell myself. "I won't fall asleep on the couch but that light is just too bright. I won't go to sleep on the couch tonight but it won't hurt to close my eyes for just a minute."

But still I find myself on the couch coming back to reality, wondering how it is that I wake up right in the middle of the weather every night. Is it coincidence or an internal clock of some sort? Deciding simultaneously that it doesn't really matter what it is and that it is probably the music they play to introduce the weather, I slowly sit up and look around making a silent list of things that have to be done before I go up.

First on the list is to clear my head. Don't think about anything that might wake me up more. Don't think about the other lists that await me. Don't open my eyes all the way. That way I can still sleep when I make it up stairs. Crossing the room to go into the kitchen I realize the dogs haven't gone out. Dogs with less bladder control than Aunt Sally either go out now or wake us up at five to be let out. Searching the house for the dogs the list begins to grow and spread its tentacles across the room. Pick up the baby's toys he has strewn across the room between the time I picked them up last and when I put him to bed. Oh, and there is another sippy cup full of milk. Before I even pick it up I know that means I will clean the kitchen, just a little, before I finally make it up the stairs. Just throw the cup and the other things the older children and my husband have left sitting around into the dishwasher. And I might as well start the dishwasher. Great, the dishwasher is full. Better empty that and if I am going to do that I might as well set the table for breakfast. With the kitchen cleaned and the table set I rush to the back door to let the dogs in before they wake up the neighbors. With the dogs placed quietly back on their couch in the basement it is time to lock up. Of course then public service advertisements begin to play in my head. What happens in the middle of the night if there is a fire? Will the path to the doors be clear? Of course not. So I pick up the back packs and shoes and place them carefully to the side of the door. Placing their coats just

• 1
• 2
• next page >>

Add your voice

Know something about Essays: Nighttime explored?
We want to hear your view. Write now!