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Vitaminsomia
by Paula Lonergan
Vol 1 Issue 4

It's close to 12 midnight and I can't sleep. I hate when that happens. Normally on a daily basis, I greet my bed in the evening with the greatest glee. I apologize to it for leaving it for so long during the day. I am especially grateful for having a soft place to rest my weary self after long day or long week.

This week was one of those long weeks. So, I met with my bed earlier than normal for a little quiet carousing. I lay down at 7 pm and watched TV. Then, after a while, the TV watched me.

After an hour or so, I woke up and took care of a few household chores. Then, I laid down again this time for the rest of night. I planned to stay with my bed until the sun peeked through my window in the morning.

However, after laying down I found sleep evaded me. I stared at the ceiling, complained to my husband about wanting to sleep, but not being sleepy. Perhaps, it was the nap. But then I wondered if it was the vitamins I took that evening after waking up from my nap. When I got up to do my chores, I remembered I neglected to take my vitamins earlier in the day. I take one multi-vitamin, one niacin, and one calcium magnesium everyday.

So, I sat in bed and stared at the wall. I wondered if the vitamins I took kicked in and gave me the energy I really needed and longed for earlier in the day. Who's to say?

All I knew is I hate not being able to sleep at night. I had a neighbor friend years ago who didn't sleep. She often complained about it. She'd tell me to look at the black circles under her eyes. I really couldn't understand what was her problem. To me when the nighttime comes, and unless you have to work or something else, it's time to put on the flannel pajamas and hit the sack. She often said she did that, but she just couldn't get to sleep. She stared at the ceiling and counted sheep until the sun rose in the morning.

As I am suffering from the same sleepless fate, to counteract it, I decided to write this article. I'm thinking about my dear friend who couldn't sleep. I haven't seen her in many years. I wonder if she is still suffering from the same problem of insomnia. I sure hope not. To be tired and not be able to sleep is exhausting.

I guess it happens to everybody, every once in a while. But, I wouldn't want to go through this night after night. What causes insomnia? I don't know. I have to research it, perhaps in the morning. Just in case the vitamins I took are keeping me up now, I'm going to make sure I take them in the mornings from now on.

Oh, I think I hear my bed calling me. And I don't want to disappoint it. Good night.

June 21, 2003
Copyright 2003 Paula Lonergan.
All rights reserved.