What Do Writers Do When They Cannot Sleep?

What Do Writers Do When They Cannot Sleep?

What do we do with all those thoughts that seem to be rushing through our minds?

Tossing and turning, even counting sheep, try as we will, we cannot sleep.

Thinking about characters, who do we discard, who do we keep?

No wonder we do not sleep

What do Memoir Writers do when they cannot sleep?

We think of our memories, some that bring a smile to our face, tears to our eyes.

Sometimes they are tears of happiness and joy.

Other times, tears of sadness and pain.

Always a tug to our hearts, memories so special and tender, warmly tucked deep in our heart

Other memories, when surface, can rip our heart apart.

Regardless, all of our memories, are part of who we are today.

So many, if not all, of my memories seem connected to a special song

As I sit here in the wee hours of the morning

Having counted oh so many sheep

Trying so hard to fall asleep

To sleep, perchance to dream

My mind wanders to a wonderful memory

To a very special song that brings such sweet, yet bitter sweet memories to my mind.

As I sit here looking at the lyrics, I find myself going back in time, it is as I am right there.

The years seem to have floated away; it seems as if it were just yesterday

Standing in the driveway, he looks so handsome, black pants, cream shirt, tan jacket, with his hands in his pocket

I can see his loving smile, the smile that melts my heart

How can it be that we are going to have to part?

I can hear the words to that special song; “Sealed with a Kiss” by Brian Hyland

“Though we’ve got to say goodbye for the summer

Darling, I promise you this

I’ll send you all my love

Every day in a letter

Sealed with a kiss”

You see, this Southern Belle and this handsome Yankee Airman

Met on a blind date in April, it was love at first sight, they only had 4 weeks together

He was being transferred to Washington DC and they would not see each other until October

As in the song, we did not want to say goodbye for the summer

“I don’t wanna say goodbye for the summer

Knowing the love, we’ll miss

So, let us make a pledge

To meet in September

And seal it with a kiss”

Those were the words playing on the car radio as he pulled out of the drive

Those were the words as I waved goodbye for the summer to him, through my tears.

I carry that sweet, yet sad, memory tucked warmly deep in my heart

There are many more wonderful memories of this Southern Belle and my handsome Yankee Airman

Rita