Sleep

Over the years, I have certainly observed  my husband struggle with sleep issues.  In fact, they can be traced back directly to a surgery he had 21 years ago.  After that, there was lots of disturbed, interrupted sleep.  Our theory has been that the insomnia was caused by post-traumatic stress from the surgery.

In the past few years, those issues have resolved themselves somewhat, and while he still does not get 8 hours of sleep all at once,  he was able to get five or six, occasionally.

It has been in the news lately, that one out of three Americans has a sleep disorder of one kind or another, and is unable to get the needed  6 or 7 hours of sleep.

Lately,  Gerry has been suffering muscle spasms in his back, which clamp down on a nerve and cause excruciating pain.  The result of that, of course, is very little sleep.   Lately, I have been more tuned in to the issues related to sleep loss, and have become aware of all the health problems that can cause, from high blood pressure to heart problems.

All of this make me aware of how much of a gift sleep is.  Honestly, until recently, I have been completely unaware of what a tremendous blessing it is to be able to easily go to sleep and sleep all night.  I have that gift and greatly enjoy that blessing.

Since retiring, I have developed exactly the pattern of sleep and wakefulness I always said I wanted. Specifically,  I go to sleep and wake up according to my internal biological clock, without the use of any alarm.  I wake up at exactly the same time every morning, and go to sleep at exactly the same time every night. I sleep soundly.  The length is more than most people need,  but it is what my body wants, given its own ability to choose.

And so I express my great appreciation and deep gratitude for the fairly uncommon ability to go to sleep easily and sleep thoroughly every single night!

My heart goes out to all those who are not so gifted!