LM, Episode 1237, 5/11/23, I Can’t Sleep

The minute my head hits the pillow, I’m asleep. If I’m awake a minute, I’m thinking, “I’ll never get to sleep tonight.” This has to be exasperating for Twyla because she, easily, lays awake an hour most nights, which I attribute to a guilty conscience. But it is a testament to her character that she doesn’t do something mean to me because I do know how exasperating insomnia can be.

When I was 8, my parents bought our first TV and they remodeled the bedroom I shared with my older brother, Michael, into a TV room and moved the Rader boys to a room in the attic, like we’re Anne Frank or something. It was as far away from Mom and Dad’s bedroom as you could be without moving into our neighbor, Mrs. Hawkin’s, house and I guess I was experiencing separation anxiety because I couldn’t go to sleep.

I tossed and turned until I finally got up, went to Mom and Dad’s room, proclaiming, “I can’t sleep.” Michael swears that’s the reason we never had a little sister.

Mom tried everything, warm milk, telling me to lay on my back and clear my mind. Finally, she said, “I’ll stay awake until you fall asleep,” and I believed her. It seemed knowing I wasn’t the last to go to sleep in the house brought me comfort and my insomnia stopped.

If you are having trouble sleeping, I want you to know Twyla will stay awake until you fall asleep.

Sleep well and always remember laughter matters.