things that go bump in the night
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2009-10-29: things that go bump in the night

My favourite book as a child was about a family of bears who wander through the woods behind their house. They venture between the rocks, around the lake and up "spook hill", where they encounter an owl who howls loudly (mimicked extremely well by my parents). The bears turn tail and run all the way, down "spook hill", back around the lake and between the rocks...home to their beds in their well-lit, completely safe home. I'm not sure if it was the howling, the suspense or the running home that grabbed my attention, but something in that book did. It grabbed me and held onto me virtually every night for many years of my childhood.

Last night I was awakened by a similar howling, coming from Leith's room. I slowly emerged from the warm, comfortable sleep in which I was indulging and lay there in the dark, wondering where on earth S. was. I heard another long howl and my feet hit the floor. I wasn't quite awake when I found myself beside Leith's bed, gazing down at my loveable son who was crying his little heart out. I bundled him up in his blanket and sat down with him in my lap and rocked him back and forth, whispering to him over and over that he was going to be okay.

After a few minutes he had calmed down, was heavy and warm in my arms and ready to go back to his bed. I tucked him in, said good night and went down to my own room. After about two minutes the crying started again - not as loud or as determined as before but still plaintive and heart wrenching. He stopped on his own this time but I couldn't sleep anymore so I got up, put on my slippers and padded down to the kitchen.

What do you do at 3 am when you can't get back to sleep? I don't find that the old warm milk trick does anything for me. A nice hot cup of peppermint tea is more my speed...and something sweet on the side to fill my belly enough that I can get back to sleep. Luckily, I keep some little tidbits in my freezer for just these occasions. Slices of dessert bread or cookie dough, in small packages, ready for the oven; waiting for me when I really need them. All I have to do is turn on the toaster oven, pop one of these little beauties in for a few minutes (about as long as it takes to boil water for a cup of tea). Soon I'm seated, wrapped in my ruby red chenille throw, sipping my tea and munching on something sweet.

It calmed my nerves and obviously Leith's as well because he didn't wake again over night. I am still not sure what it was that woke him in the first place. The howling noises I made while reading his favourite book over and over? Another cold? Missing his dad? Who knows. But he slept - much like a baby - the rest of the night, as did I after having my small, sweet treat.