As a dad, one of the most pleasant sights in my world is the vision of my sleeping daughter. I know it sounds as if I’m exhausted by her and that any rest she gets equals a break for me. While it is true that I enjoy my downtime, that’s not the reason I look forward to her going to bed.

When I see her sleeping I can’t help but smile and feel an overwhelming sense of joy. It happens because I know when she sleeps she is far away from the troubles of the world. She’s not devastated by the heartbreak of divorce or the restrictions of an era limited by a pandemic. When she dreams she lives in a world completely her own where she plays with the best toys, eats unlimited ice cream, and has days jam-packed with fun. 

The sight of her sleeping moves me almost to tears because while she sleeps she’s safe from the world. It also gives me pause and time to reflect on all the amazing things she has done and that I imagine she will do. I also know that if I were to wake her there would be hell to pay, I mean…have you ever woken a sleeping 5-year old?