Slept on my Back

     As a child I tucked myself deep into my sheets.  The scary shadows would get me if I wasn't buried under at least one layer of cotton to protect me from the evils of the night.  I was typically on my stomach.   This pattern seemed to last for the rest of my life.  Now, sometimes I do the side-stomach deal with one leg straight out and the other in a bend.  But my face is tucked and my arms are usually twisted up with the pillow.  When you are pregnant they tell you that sleeping on your back is actually dangerous so though it's the only way that would be comfortable when you are larger than life...you shouldn't really do it.  There were lots of years of side sleeping. 
     I am 39 years old.  Between the years of sleeping on my stomach, the warnings about babies and things that go bump in the night that had easier access to my demise should I not be buried....I have never willingly slept on my back.  I was convinced it was impossible.  Lately, I've been waking up in a twist of knots and dead asleep limbs.  Daily.  Last night after flipping one way to alleviate the right arm being painfully numb I turned.  And flipped.  And smashed pillows.  Turned again.  This grown woman could not sleep on her back because she just doesn't do it.  I don't sleep on my back.  Then it hit me.  Just because I have been doing it for all of the years I can remember...doesn't mean I can't claim this whole new position now.  Just because we've always done something one way doesn't mean that we can't do it another way.  Duh. 
     I propped two pillows under my neck and skull.  I found just the right blanket...sheet ratio.  I put my arms all crazy way up over my head and you know what?  I was damn comfortable.  Wow.  I also was not worried about the axe murderer or satanic spirit that could get me in this vulnerable position...I just wanted a good night's sleep.  And I got one. 
     Just because we've always done it one way doesn't mean we can't change.  Pretty big lesson for a seemingly simple new thing....