Week 4-Holiday traditions, Day 5-Sleep

After a day of ripping up wrapping paper, playing with all my new toys, and eating and drinking to my merry heart’s content, I was exhausted.  I have literally done nothing but nap and watch the first season of Sons of Anarchy with my Mom and Scott.  There is about 5 inches of beautiful, cold, wet snow outside but I’m thankful for my warm bed and comfy couch.

Sleep seemed like a funny thing to be thankful for at first, but after a long day there is no feeling like laying your head down on your very own pillow.  Sweet Sleep helps provide beds to orphans and abandoned children around the world.  Sweet Sleep was founded in 2003 after Jen Gash returned home from a trip where she was helping orphans in Moldova.  It broke her heart to see the terrible conditions of the mattress, and know that the children were sleeping two to a bed.  Sweet Sleep also works to provide mosquito nets for children in Africa and Haiti to protect them from malaria and other diseases.  It only takes $8 to keep a child safe at night while they sleep.  Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep is a very unique organization that helps families who have lost a child through remembrance photography.  There are over 7,000 volunteer photographers around the US and in 25 other countries that will come to the family’s hospital or hospice room and have a free private photo session.  Having photographs made may not be the first thing that comes to the minds of parents who have a terminally ill infant but NILMDTS believes that it is an integral part of the family’s healing process.  It is literally the gift that keeps giving to the parents for years and years.

Sweet Sleep Donation

Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep Donation

So here’s to you sweet slumber!  You are there at the end of the day to hold us still for a few hours and wipe the slate clean for a new day.  You are there on a Sunday afternoon as NASCAR or re-runs of The Sopranos plays on the television.  Sometimes you aren’t there quite as much as we would like but we’re always happy when you come around.  Sweet dreams world!