You lie in bed,
But sleep is unavailable,
Knowing that your child may be all alone or in the gripping hands of danger.
You know there is work to be done,
Ideas to try,
People to call,
Duties to fulfill,
But you can't keep going.
You can't take any more today.
You appeal to source,
Universe,
God,
Your higher power.
Please take this shift for me.
Please pick up where I leave off.
I need rest.
I need peace.
Even just a few hours of escape.
You close your heavy eyes and see your child walking on a wide stormy beach.
Anger and defiance take every step with them.
You see your son or daughter turn and start walking toward the blackish blue waves.
You've seen them walk this direction before so many times.
You both know it's the wrong direction,
But it looks so enticing to your child,
Your baby.
You can't stop them.
You want to roll the waves back so they'll never reach the watery depth that lures them from the shore.
But you can't.
You don't know how to do that.
Just as your child's feet reach the closest wave,
You see a large,
Calm,
But mighty figure appear next to them.
This power is holding the baby blanket you wrapped your child in decades ago.
It still smells like fresh,
Chubby baby skin.
You think about the innocence and safety it represents.
The large figure takes a step toward your child and gently,
But with ownership,
Wraps the blanket tightly around their shoulders and pulls them close.
Your child doesn't react,
Doesn't pull away,
Or succumb to the strength of this loving gesture,
But stops walking toward the ocean,
Stops seeking the waves that could swallow them whole.
The figure stands still and solid.
The waves and wind and sand can't sway this faithful shield.
You sink deeper into your pillow and pull softness around your shoulders,
Letting your jaw and forehead slip into ease.
You glance one more time at your child and their protector,
Still and quiet on the beach,
And you know the two of them will stay like this until your shift begins again.
As you accept this gift of slumber,
You feel your own blanket of peace and comfort wrapping around you.
And as you drift off to sleep,
You hear the divine say to you,
I've got this.
