glowsticks

Last night, after he went to bed, Kiddo became fixated on the popping sounds of our radiators as they expanded and contracted, and got really upset (an autism thing, I think).  Weeping and sniffling and tears (Kiddo), gnashing of teeth (Mommy).  There wasn't a whole lot I could do - we can't turn the heat off.  It's literally freezing outside, and we live in a 60-year-old house that was built before insulation was thought to be important.  I tried turning up the music playing in his room, I tried climbing into bed with him, I tried rationalizing, I tried to get him to think about something else by making him laugh, sing a song, count to 100, make up a story about some of his stuffed animals.  Nothing was working.  It was over an hour past bedtime, I was frustrated, and Kiddo was clinging to my arm, refusing to let me leave his room.  And then I looked over and saw a tube of glowsticks sitting on his dresser.  I pulled one out, activated it, and handed it over.  The smiles came out, the tears stopped, and I left him happily waving it around in the dark and hiding it under his sheet.  Five minutes later, he was fast asleep.

And there was much rejoicing in the land.

Thank you, Lord, for glowsticks.  And for giving me your wisdom when I have none.