麻豆约拍

Abdul-Rehman Malik, journalist and broadcaster:

I probably shouldn鈥檛 say this in front of a man who gets up at 4.30 every weekday 鈥� but I鈥檓 tired. I can鈥檛 remember when I stopped sleeping soundly. I have vague memories of times past when sleep 鈥� sweet and refreshing 鈥� would overwhelm me. If that ever happens nowadays, I feel like calling out the marching band to celebrate.

It鈥檚 not quite insomnia but my sleep is fitful, choppy, broken up by trips to the bathroom and long stretches of lying in the dark with my thoughts. These days there is an added challenge. My son.

Ever since he was born, we made sure our son had his own cot. Sure, he slept in the same room as us, but he had his space and we had ours.

About a year ago, my son decided he was a 鈥渂ig boy鈥� now 鈥� approaching the ripe old age of three 鈥� and that he was going to sleep in his own room, on his own bed. Our second bedroom became his. He has however, in the last few weeks, decided that Mom and Dad鈥檚 bed is more comfortable and when I hear the tell-tale creak of the floor boards I know he鈥檚 on his way in 鈥� and I鈥檓 on my way out. Three in the bed is one person too many.

But on the nights that he doesn鈥檛 come to our bed, I find myself migrating to his. I sit next to him, run my hands through the tousle of his hair and marvel at his serenity. I think about all the uncanny, thoughtful things he now says and the spirited pace of his daily adventures.

鈥淏efore you cross the street,鈥� I sing softly, 鈥渢ake my hand. Life is just what happens to you, while your busy making other plans.鈥� I wrap my fingers around his. John Lennon鈥檚 words feel ever true.

On embracing his grandson, the Prophet Muhammad, overwhelmed with affection, prayed, 鈥淥 God, I love him, so please love him too - and love the one who loves him.鈥�

As I finally drift off next to my son, it is my prayer too and for a few moments I am thankful for my sleeplessness.聽 In that quiet darkness, my heart has overflowed many times. And the sleep that follows 鈥� well, it is probably as sweet as it鈥檚 ever going to get.聽 Then again, perhaps I should try afternoon naps instead.