Maybe the only reason I sleep is to wake up and hear the makeshift “alarm” of my Keurig heating its water. And the nutty smell and steam created when it empties into my favorite mug that evokes the feeling of receiving a trophy for a night’s victory. The National Committee on Effective Sleep (NCES-I’m not for sure this is a real thing, but it sounded good) would probably balk on this delusional dreamy state of mind.
What is the magic number of hours now that are required to be a stellar human? How far do I drop, intellectually-speaking, from 9 hours-to 8-and then to 7? Am I even human if I sleep less than 6?
Throughout my 49 years I’ve slept an average (educated guess) of 7 hours. My memory isn’t the best; however, I’m sure there was a time when I was forced to have 8 hours a sleep. Certainly, it was based on some research I did on “how to be the best human possible”. And then college, and kids, and a career, dropped my average. There is remembrance of my head jolting and my eyes bolting open during some career trainings-and perhaps during the life trainings under steeples. Luckily, in both situations, I could quickly raise my head and say “Amen”.
As I’ve aged, a new friend has found me. It greets me as soon as the darkness overtakes the room. The hugs I receive from it, even though I try to tell it I need my rest, is comforting at times. Like some friends I’ve known, there are times it doesn’t have my best interest at heart-how selfish! Oh, it wishes me well for the most part. In fact, because of its constant companionship when dreaming wide-eyed, you’d think I’d be “rolling in the dough” (inventions, best-selling book ideas, job possibilities, etc.…). Constantly, I’m reminding this so-called friend, insomnia, that if it really loved me, it would let me go.
There are nights it leaves me. It seems instantly I’m prancing to the kitchen-nearly squealing awaiting my first taste of light. No less than super-humanness will reside in me! “Will my friend visit me again tonight?”, I ask myself. New relationships bring new learning-and undoubtedly, some will remain, and some will be broken. I’ll respect it while its here. And happily wave goodbye when it leaves.
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Excuse the typo!