Today’s light subject: the wrong side of the bed

For years now, I’ve been sleeping on the wrong side of the bed. The side where the nightstand lamp is on my right. Making it not optimal for reading in bed, my favorite place to read. No matter how much I pushed myself to the right so that my book could come under the lamp light it was always less than comfortable.

Sometimes I actually picked up the lamp and tried tipping it toward my book to get more light. I’m sure I don’t have to finish this sentence for you to understand how unpleasant that was. Before anyone asks why I didn’t just move to the other side of the bed, the answer is simple.

This has always been my side. It is closest to the door. My toe prints form a path in the carpet from my side of the bed to the door. A smaller path of footprints take me to my closet, also on my side of the bed.

My Aunt Rose’s antique mirror picks up the bougainvillea from outside the window, so I enjoy the purple blossoms twice from my bed. This is the side of the bed I shared with my late husband for 30 years. It’s where I feel familiar and protected, even if it’s just an illusion.

Have I become set in my ways as I age? Perhaps.

But I did decide to address my listing to the right to be near the light. By moving the offending lamp, a twin to the one on the other side of the bed, I made room for what I call a “loosey-goosey” light. My new reading buddy can be configured in any number of positions from its sturdy base.

It looks a little like a robot, steely and smart. I feel like if I say, “A little more light over here, please,” it will obey. Although it doesn’t respond to verbal commands, it’s all in when it comes to touching. Just one finger placed lightly on the base turns it on and off, plus three settings of lighting.

I had no idea how much fun this would be. Sometimes I just reach over and touch it in the middle of the night, just because I can. In a world full of chaos, I seek out small amusement.