Spooky Moon, originally uploaded by rcbodden, Flickr, Creative Commons.
I had just put Bear down to sleep for the night, and closed her door behind me, when she started screaming. At first, I thought that these were her typical, I-don’t-want-to-go-to-bed screams, but they quickly escalated in pitch, so I turned around and went back into her bedroom.
She stopped crying as soon as she saw me. She was hot – a damp hot. In a few minutes, she had soaked through her fleece sleeper, and her hair felt wet with sweat. She sat straight up in her crib looking at me, whimpering and gasping for air.
What is wrong?
She looked at her bedroom window, the blinds closed tightly against the night outside, and pointed. Her whimpering got louder.
Outside? Did you see something that scared you?
She nodded, and I picked her up. She curved her hot little body against mine and closed her eyes. I sat down in her chair and began rocking her.Bear twisted her body in my arms toward the window and pointed again. She wasn’t going to forget whatever had happened, and I felt a little prick of fear inside of me. What if she really did see something? What if someone was outside her window? I decided that I had to be brave, even though my little toddler pointing insistently at her bedroom window was starting to freak me out.
Do you want me to check to make sure nothing is there?
She nodded again. So, from where I sat, I reached over and quickly pulled back the blinds. Nothing. Either nothing was there, or nothing was there now.
See, honey? There isn’t anything there. You’re fine.
I rocked her for a little while longer, and she seemed to relax. I carried her to her crib and began to lay her down amongst her babies. Her eyes popped open. I assured her that I would be right outside her room, and if she needed me, I would be there. I told her not to worry anymore. She closed her eyes again and rubbed her cheek against her blanket.
But, I was still a little worried. When my husband got home, I asked him to go outside to check. He scoffed at my concerns. She saw a light, or a sweet gum ball probably hit the window, he said. Maybe.
Since that night, about twice a week, Bear will start screaming in the middle of the night. I’ll go into her room, and she’ll be sitting up pointing at the window. I’m fairly convinced that nothing is there, but her insistence is starting to spook me. What if she knows something that we don’t?
9 comments
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April 9, 2011 at 2:25 am
HannahFergesen
Sounds like a scary movie…
April 9, 2011 at 2:33 am
raisingbrainchild
Or, the kid is clairvoyant. Seriously, this finger-pointing at the window thing is creeping me out!
April 9, 2011 at 2:35 am
raisingbrainchild
Hey, are you still blogging? I can’t find your blog any longer.
April 10, 2011 at 12:01 pm
Ray Bodden
I’m very glad you found my photo “Spooky Moon” and used it in your blog. I appreciate your attribution, also. I like your blog, too!!
April 15, 2011 at 2:18 am
raisingbrainchild
Thanks! I think your picture is fantastic!
April 12, 2011 at 9:16 am
Aisha
Oh man. I used to do this all the time as a kid. I hope I don’t have to pay back the fear I gave my mom by having W do the same to me. I remember seeing shadows and shapes, hearing a thud, or a squeak and just getting terrified. Sorry for Bear 😦 And for you 😦
April 15, 2011 at 2:19 am
raisingbrainchild
Thanks! “They” always say to expect to get what you gave! I remember sleeping as far away in my bed from the window as possible. I was sure that someone was going to climb through it in the night and get me. Bear probably comes by it naturally.
April 14, 2011 at 8:40 am
katery
aw, poor bear, i hope she gets past it.
April 15, 2011 at 2:20 am
raisingbrainchild
Thanks, Kate!