My young John’s imagination was wild. All through the day he was a superhero vanquishing monsters and besting villains, feared by evil-doers, all. Sadly, even superheroes have to sleep in the dark. When he was quiet abed, he could feel them creeping out of the shadows, coming for him. Every night, I kissed him, tucked him in, and checked under the bed and in the closet to show him there were no monsters.
Switching off the light, I’d leave the door ajar. Soon the light would flip on and I’d hear,a little voice at my ear. ”Mommy, I’m scared.”
Back to bed we’d go, me assuring assuring him there was nothing hiding in the dark. Lather. Rinse. Repeat. After a few trips, I’d enlist Bud’s help. Eventually, fatigue would overtake his fear and he’d drift off.
I’ve never been a good sleeper. Every time I awoke, I’d peek in on the kids to make sure they were covered and cozy. One memorable night as I tiptoed in to check on John my toes squished in something cold and wet, not a good feeling for a dog or cat owner.
“Crap!” I said, an expletive and likely description of what was squished up between my toes. I hobbled on my heel, toes in the air, driving a spire into the heel of my other foot. Dropping to my knees, I landed on a firetruck. Even in my agony, It was identifiable as a fire truck by the siren and flashing lights.
By this time, John was screaming in terror at the invading monster. Bud stormed to the rescue, flipped on the light, ready for action, only to find me me on the floor, PlayDo between my toes with a jack stuck in my heel.
It turns out, my adventurous son had gotten up and constructed traps for monsters about his room. PlayDo mounds were scattered about the carpeted floor. Metal jacks, cars, trucks, and all manner of wheeled toys encircled his bed.
Only a winged assailant could have gotten to him. Needless to say, it took a while to figure out what was going on and get the terrified little boy settled back in.
My throbbing foot kept me company till morning.
Nutsrok 
I was always so afraid at bedtime. My older kids had night terrors too
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Metal jacks are the worst thing to step on barefoot.
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Parents are unsung heroes.
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I was howling that time.
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What a handful but what an imagination he had. Hopefully he retained that I went to have a career using it. :)
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He is just the same today. What was your career?
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I spent my career in sales of various sorts and around 25 I moved into the staffing business. Most of the years I spent in the technology arena and it paid me dearly. I worked during a super growth period in technology and I loved it. I also worked as a Corporate Trainer and had roughly 25 offices. Way to stressful. It’s impossible to work for someone who expects everything has to be perfect now. I know you’ve mentioned how much you loved your job but no doubt you felt the burnout and stress. :)
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I left because I had gotten the good out of my legs as well. A person can only hold up to nursing so long. I also taught and did case management. The last couple of years I never saw a patient. I didn’t enjoy that.
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When you’re on your feet all day you can’t go forever, the pain catches up.
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I still have bulging veins and restless legs, though I had vein surgery three times. I can recognize nurses legs from a mile away. Those varicose veins are a badge of service.
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A painful one.
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Laughing my ass off here, you’re poor son! And poor you!!
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We both survived.
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How ingenious of him:). Thank goodness it wasn’t doggy poop……:)
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Yes indeed.
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OMG!!! You had me in actual near-hysterical laughter! What a wonderful story/memory … thank you for sharing!
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We have laughed about it so many times.
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Great story. Brought me back a few years, even beyond when I had nightmares of my own. So real when you’re a kid, so much so that you build a fortress around your bed. Ha, how ingenious. As for that ‘squishy stuff’, the real thing is awful, isn’t it.
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Yes it is. Had that awful surprise, too. That scared little boy is forty-eight now and looks like a grizzly bear. He is such a sweet man.
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4 yrs older than our son. They grow up fast. All my best to you.
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It seems odd to see your children as men and women, even though that’s what you always prepared for.
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Agree 100%.
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😂 Mine never set traps but I know that feeling of getting up and checking on the kids. I did that until the were adults and moved out. If I woke through the night I automatically got up and checked on them.
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I remember my mother covering me at night. It felt so good.
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To my credit, I cringed for you while I laughed. I hope those night terrors didn’t last for years.
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No. He moved on to being a terror himself pretty soon. I was with him this weekend. He is such a good man.
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It’s a marvelous thing to be proud of your own children.
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It is one of life’s greatest gifts. Some people try hard, do all the right things, and are still disappointed.
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We tried hard to do all the right things. We were not disappointed, but we were surprised.
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Oh yes, on various occasions, I have thought either of my children might be insane. It’s not like putting a coin in a machine to get a treat, is it?
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Nothing is guaranteed with children except that they will pull on your heart strings.
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OMG! My dad hated when he’d land upon one of my errant jacks, only he didn’t say crap. lol
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I probably didn’t either! Just didn’t want to tell on myself.
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Big Smile.
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