I am sitting here tonight trying to think of what to write. The truth is that I am looking forward to taking a bath and relaxing. My stomach hurts just a tiny bit and I want to get in bed and stretch out. I want to have a good long sleep tonight and to sleep late tomorrow. I want to look forward to the final day of 2021 and the beginning of a new year and, hopefully, an end to some of the old news – Covid-19, especially – and head into a new start. I am ready for all of this carefulness to end and for “normal” life to begin again. But, unfortunately, I’m afraid we might be in this horse race for a while more. Waiting to see how it all turns out.

In the meantime, I’m going to consider writing early in the morning rather than late at night. I suspect I’d have more energy earlier rather than late and also might write pieces that are a bit more interesting. Is that a New Year’s resolution I hear? Not quite, but perhaps. We will see. But for now – that one day before all the resolutions come out – I think I’ll just wrap up my writing so I can take that nice warm bath I’m thinking of.

Is it a good sign that I look forward to all the rituals associated with bedtime? Taking a bath, brushing my teeth, putting on my face lotion? I associate all of these activities with the sheer joy of sliding into our made bed and settling back of my specially chosen soft pillows. That truly is quite a treat. This love of bedtime and sleep has come relatively recently. Most of the time, I’ve fought going to bed. I’ve stayed up as late as I could so I could squeeze out all the day there might be. But now, I’m happy to let the day end without me and, instead, embrace the early darkness with a sigh of relief. Is the day over yet? Can I settle into my little cocoon and relax now?

I am grateful for all the blessings in my life. My nighttime rituals are among them. How fortunate I am to have the privilege of having a warm bed, a full stomach, and a safe place to lay my head. I pray for all those who are lonely, sad, sick, suffering, hungry, afraid or oppressed. May they be surrounded by warm, protective, and healing light, now and forever.

As for me, I’m now headed off to my bath, then to bed, and finally to sleep. Hooray!