Ahhhh, yes.....

I have an unnatural love-love relationship with sleep. I love everything about it. I love night clothes. Coming home from work, peeling those constricting pieces off, removing trinkets and adornments that make an outfit complete, slipping off shoes that have been killing my feet since 10am but looking so very snazzy. I love opening the drawer and seeing which set of night clothes is on top. Mixing and matching pieces based on the weather and my mood. Red fuzzy or lime green spaghetti strap? Plaid flannel pants, going all the way to the floor or cotton shorts...this is merely step one in my beautiful process of sleep.

I'll skip the winding down process, because that's not really a part of my adoration. I see this time as merely the time I must spend waiting on the bed. More of a duty or chore than anything else.

Then...the bed...beautifully made at first, turning the corner of the bedding down to reveal the inside layer that I will soon occupy. Sliding in, the sheets are cool but quickly warm around me. A simple cotton topper during the summer allows me to feel the breeze of the ceiling fan. Layers of cotton blankets in winter allow me to feel the tingle on my nose of the cool air from an open window while gently pressing down on my body to assure me that I will be well taken care of throughout the night.

Next is that yummy sensation that surrounds me as my body takes its cue and starts to relax and let go, one muscle at a time. Occasionally, I stay alert to the way various parts of my body get ready for sleep. My legs are not sure they are finished for the day, and may twitch every now and then. My shoulders let go of the weight of the day, and slowly slide into the bed, inch by inch. My hips become heavy, like iron, and completely release all stress into the bottom sheet, then deeper into the mattress. It's like orchestra musicians warming and tuning their instruments before the piece is played.

Ahhh. Almost ready. My mind starts to float, not attached to any thought, idea, worry. The day is over. The new one has not yet begun. It is the slice of respite that everyone needs like the slice of pumpkin pie after a thanksgiving meal. I can still hear the sounds around me but they are moving farther and farther away and slumber takes my hand and leads me to another world.


Going. Going. Gone.