What It's Really Like Wednesday #9 - When It's Hard to Sleep

We tucked him into bed. The story was read. The songs had been sung. It was time for sleep. Our hearts thrilled at the curly mop of hair peeking out from the tops of the blankets. His heart raced with uncertainty. It was his first night at home. The bed was too big. The smells were all wrong. The faces were strangers. He didn't want to sleep. The Hubs picked him up. Carried him to an even bigger bed. The blankets seemed to swallow him. We stayed. There at the edge of the bed. Rubbing his back. Trying to calm him, at least enough for sleep. His eyelids drooped. Losing the battle. We crept down the stairs. Thankful.
Every night was like this. For weeks. Refusing to sleep in his own bed. He only fell asleep in ours. We moved him every night back to his own bed.  When he was lost in dreams. But it didn't matter. He was afraid to sleep in his room.
...
Three am. Screams began. Momma! Momma! Momma! I jolted awake. Running to his room. His eyes wide with fright. Tears flowing.  Weeks passed. Every night the same. Staying with him until he fell asleep again.
...

Transition was hard. Nights were hard. Every night he cried out. And every night we came. I can see now. He needed to know we were there. Sleeping in a strange place. He didn't sleep well. When he woke overwhelmed with fear he called for us. And we came. And forever was building in his heart. None of us realized. But now I see. As I watch M sleep. He sleeps through the night. There is no more screaming. Because he knows. We are here. And always will be.

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