Every night, as I get ready to go to sleep I find comfort and peace in simple rituals. A cup of tea in a pretty cup, a love note left on the kitchen counter for my wonderful husband to read in the morning, the soft hum of the dishwasher, the sound of my slippers as I walk to the window for one last look outside. I love the perfect silence, the twinkling of the fairy lights wrapped over the picket fence. At this time, my thoughts fly across the Atlantic to the other side of the world. I close my eyes and I'm at my son's apartment, I hug and kiss him good night. I pray for his safety and happiness. I pray for acceptance and understanding. As I make my way back to the kitchen I pass "Titania" my dear fairy friend. There she sits surrounded by flowers and tiny lights, holding a small candle, she is the very picture of peace and serenity. I stop and admire her beauty and I smile.
I head upstairs, pause for a moment outside my daughter's bedroom and force myself not to think of the time when she too, leaves home, so I go into the guest bedroom, plump up a cushion, close the curtains, look around.
My habits have evolved through the years, and just like our family, they've developed, progressed, adapted, and changed. Tonight, as I get ready to go to sleep, I realize that even though so many things are different, I am still able to find peace and beauty in these simple, comforting rituals.
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