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August 11, 2005
Darkness Falls Across The Land
There are some things you think will never change. However, as we get older, we all begin to change, even if it’s in subtle ways. Something that has changed with me over the summer is darkness – the need for darkness at night.
I have always slept with the hall light on. When the kids were very small, they needed it on in case they had to get up to go to the bathroom. Truth be told, I needed it too. It was always nice if I awoke in the middle of the night to be able to look out into the hallway and reassure myself that no one was there getting ready to kill me.
But, Ashley has worn a sleep mask for over a year now, so the light was no longer a benefit to her. Andrew began closing his bedroom door at night, so the light didn’t benefit him either. Still, I reasoned with myself, they might need the light if they got up for some reason.
Over the course of the summer, the light suddenly became an irritation to me. It was keeping me awake instead of being reassuring and helping me fall asleep. I would wake in the middle of the night and instead of checking the hall to make sure no one was there, I would bury my head under the covers and wish that it wasn’t turned on.
Finally, I came to the realization that the light had been on all this time not for the kids, but for me. I had needed that constant in my life. I needed the comfort; the kids didn’t.
So, after many years of light, when we go to bed these days, we are plunged into total darkness. You would not believe how much faster I get to sleep! Who would have known?
Posted by tami at August 11, 2005 8:45 AM
Comments
Your are so goofey! I have to admit that i need the TV to fall asleep. I set the timer so it goes off about 2 hours after i fall asleep! We too have a light that stays on constantly. It's in our kitchen though, without it we would fall down the stairs going to the bathroom!
Posted by: Deanna at August 11, 2005 11:52 AM
Living in a city all my life the night never seems to get truly dark. We hope to move to Scotland in a few years time and we're looking to live outwith a city. The night will seem very different without the neon glow associated with city living. I'm quite looking forward to it :)
Posted by: Moi ![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.tamisclock.com/nav-commenters.gif)
at August 12, 2005 1:12 PM
I like a really dark room, too. Our mini-blinds do not completely darken the room...Certainly not from daylight, which comprises a good half to three quarters of our sleep time due to our late-night schedule. I'd like to get some room-darkening drapes we can pull shut.
Posted by: gw at August 14, 2005 6:48 AM
Once you do get some, GW, you'll wonder why you didn't do it years ago.
Posted by: Tami at August 14, 2005 9:59 AM