On the top bunk...

On the top bunk…

It was the morning after Thanksgiving.  I was sleeping on the top bunk in my grandson’s room, my husband Jim was on the bottom bunk.  We’d stayed all night at my daughter’s house after a hectic and happy day of turkey, salmon, gourmet squash soup and mashed potatoes and gravy.

Combining the fare of the traditional Thanksgiving and the specialty dishes cooked by my new son in law who hails from London, partnered with the three vegetarians in our family…it was quite the meal.  We raised our glasses and toasted to what we were thankful for; a new marriage and member of the family; the surprise announcement of a new grandchild on the way; and a sharing of thankfulness and caring for one another. 

After dinner, we jammed with piano music from Jim’s musician son, Greg, and turned up the volume on Cold Play while the grandkids, ages 2 to 4 years old took the floor to show off their dance moves.

My family tends to be a little crazy.  It’s who we are.  We love getting together, the more the better, rock the houses with kids, music, cheer and love.  And that’s how and why I ended up on the top bunk on Thanksgiving night. We just weren’t ready to leave this party!

As I climbed up the ladder into bed, my dilemma was to decide which of the many stuffed animals already claiming my space was I to move to find my spot.  Would it be the alligator, maybe the stuffed bumble bee, or one of the many Angry Birds lining the side against the wall?  And the three cats, were sure to let me know that it was night and these beds were their usual settling place.  What was I doing there?

It wasn’t the best of sleeping, up there on that bunk.  Every time  Jim rolled over or adjusted his pillow we rattled and rolled and squeaked.  Bunk beds are not made for 60 somethings!

So the house was full, kids on the floor, babies in the pack and play,  grandparents in the bunk beds and the rest of the family scattered upstairs and down in their own sleeping spots.

And just as things settled in, just as the house fell still and the last of our family quieted for the night, there was a small cry.  It was the littlest member of our family, Anthony, ready to greet the day.  It was, after all, 4:30 AM!

And as I lay there, listening to his beautiful voice, his baby squeals and his urgent cries for his bottle, I felt blessed.  This is my family.  These are the people I love.  These are the reason for all I do.

So, instead of trying to go back to sleep, I reached for the ladder and climbed down to the floor. I picked up the over-sized stuffed pig that had been tossed aside, tucked it under my sleeping husband’s arm and went down to greet the day with that beautiful little member of our family.

Sometimes a squeaky top bunk can be the best place to be reminded of what matters.  It was for me.

I wish you the gift of appreciation for those who love you and those whom you love in 2012 and forever. 

Have a wonderful year.