Blessings

Sighing softly I collapse
on my favourite chair
after a crazy long day.

In and out, slowly, deeply
let the muscles relax
I tell myself.

It is blessedly quiet
the night silence fills the air.

A hot cup of tea, a book
a little me time to unwind
is all I want.

I take a sip, start reading
letting the silence work
and savouring every second of it
when the pitter patter of little feet intrude.

Startled I look up
a little body is standing next to me-
eye lashes damp with tears-
‘What’s wrong sweetie?’
‘I woke up and …and …’
‘Sssh baby! I am here.
Come let’s go to bed.’

So ends another day,
one in a long line of such days.
The tea grows cold, the book is unread
but my baby sleeps peacefully in my arms.

I am blessed.
All too soon my nest will be empty
and a haunting silence will fill the rooms.