Yes, we have one. I guess it’s a good thing we do because we suddenly seem to have an influx of little guests visiting us during the night. I’m not sure why they have picked up in the past few weeks, and haven’t been able to get a straight answer out of the girls. The explanation usually has something to do with a nightmare or bad dream (the terminology differs for each kid). Between the dreams and sleeping on what amounts to a quarter of an inch of mattress, a leg thrown over my stomach, elbow, in my ribs and a finger up my nose, I’m going to hurt someone. Either that, or sleep in the closet.
My youngest will most likely be a fantasy writer. Case in point. Here is one of her bad dreams from a few nights ago:
| "I was riding on a shark in the ocean, which was in our backyard. We were having a lot of fun, and then we went to pick flowers. And then the shark saw Tiny (our dog), and started to chase after her, screaming ‘GIVE ME BACK MY POPSICLE!!’ Tiny just kept running, and then the shark swam over the fence (FENCE? In the OCEAN?) and the shark kept going faster and I started…to..slip off…zzzzzzz.” |
I really hate it when she falls asleep during her description of a bad dream. That’s like those shows that have two parts. At the end of part one, it cuts off and says, “Stay tuned for scenes from next week’s show.” Brings me back to the days of watching Batman. “Same bat time, same bat channel.” And of course, she never remembers how it ended when she wakes up.
While my six year old may be in some sort of fantasy land (ok, she’s like that when she’s awake too) that puts an ocean in our back yard, complete with sharks, flowers and fences, my oldest is more into the “horror stories” and seems determined to make me lie awake for the rest of the night, analyzing EVERY SINGLE NOISE I hear.
I’m not a paranoid person. I don't scare easily, and I can sleep through just about anything. I have been alone in the house, either by myself or with the kids, quite a number of times when my husband was out of town. I am handy with a gun, and much like a lioness with her cubs when it comes to protecting what is mine. I’ve never once had a problem with that. Well, at least I didn’t used to.
This child will probably be writing Friday the 13th, Part 36. Or, “When Carrie meets Freddy Kruger who meets The Blob.” Here is her dream from last night:
| “I was sleeping and all of a sudden I woke up to this noise. It was kind of this scraping noise, you know? Like someone was dragging their foot on the ground, with a chain on their ankle. (I ask you, how would she know how that sounded? I mean, I know we live in Georgia but I thought we had banned people walking around with chains on their ankles when we made it a crime to wear shoes.) The noise kept getting louder and louder, and then all of a sudden this man appeared. He kind of looked like a pirate or the captain of a ship. He had a hook on one arm and a sword in the other. And he kept coming closer and closer and I could hear him breath. He kind of sounded like Daddy when he is sleeping. And then he was really close and I felt something wet drop on my head. I saw that his sword had blood all over it. So I scooted over to the other side of the bed, and got out and ran really fast all the way to your bedroom.” |
I responded with the appropriate words of support, agreeing how frightening that must have been, and that yes, it would be a good idea if she slept with us the rest of the night, because her dad is like the bravest, strongest guy in the whole world, and mom can shoot the pupil out of a human’s eye at 100 feet. So, you know, how safe can you get? I began to doze.
| “Mommy. (Hmmm? I mumble.) He’s back again. (Eyes pop open) Do you see him by the couch? He keeps coming closer and he is limping now. I wonder how come his sword is raised over his head? Boy…I sure hope this is just my imagination. I lo...zzzzzz.” |
I’m awake now. I keep hearing these funny noises…like a barefoot Pirate looking Captain, dragging one foot behind him with a chain around his ankle. At least there aren’t any sharks.
Shit.
Comments
precisely why I never ever ever watch scary movies! It would send me into a weeks worth of nightmares.
*laughs at mommie shooting the pupil out of a human's eye at 100 feet! ha ha
Posted by: Suzanne at February 3, 2005 06:24 PM
When we fisrt saw The Ring it scared me and all the kids so much that we slept together on the living room floor for 2 or 3 nights!
Posted by: Michele at February 4, 2005 09:49 AM
WHat a great glimpse of a little one's fertile imagination. IMaybe the two of you will collaborate on a future thriller. I'd buy it!
Posted by: Carmi at February 4, 2005 03:23 PM
The ring is a good film but only if it's the japanese original not the "pardon the pun" trashy american remake .....
Hmm it's should be a requirement that they see at least one scary movie a year or maybe a month.... Well Call it Torture if you like
Posted by: Gopher at February 6, 2005 07:27 AM