I lay in the bed I remember from so many years ago, listening to the soft sounds of my little one falling asleep.

He went quietly tonight, without a whimper after becoming more and more wound up playing games with Pop-Pop.

It was as if all the batteries ran out at once, and he gave a quiet sigh and rolled over.

It’s not often I share a communal sleeping space with my children, having worked very hard to keep them sleeping in a separate room for my chances of sleep to be greater.

But on vacation, I’m okay with it.

It’s nice to hear the ones you love sleeping peacefully. It fills my heart with so much warmth it could melt and roll right off the bed.

And while it only happens on rare occasions, each time I think how amazingly lucky I am.

I know that he will likely wake me up far earlier than I’d like, and that his snoring may keep my up, but for now, the velvet of the dark holds the sound of life.

Next to me.