Remember the scene in “The Sound of Music” when all the kids gather in Maria’s room during a storm? It is her first night there, and she gamely sings a song to distract the children’s minds from the wind, thunder, and lightening. They dance, sing, and laugh until Captain von Trapp shows up and demands the children go back to their own beds. As the children leave, Maria seems dissapointed to have them go.

Well, what she really should have done was thank God for the chance to sleep peacefully that night. Her other option would be to spend the night with little Gretl’s arm in her face, pushing Brigitta’s hot legs off her stomach every time the urchin tossed and turned, and counting sheep while trying to ignore Friedrich’s loud snores.

From about 4:00pm on yesterday, we had severe weather around. We actually got the kids to bed in good order. However, they felt the need to update us every time the lights flickered or lightening struck. I guess I should have known when they were still awake at 10pm that the storm was bothering them.

My husband and I had just sat down on our bed, talking about our day when I noticed a face peeping in the doorway. Middle son smiled bashfully, but did not hesitate to jump up between us.

“Storm bothering you?”, I asked. He nodded his head and burrowed between his parents.

Not five seconds later, youngest son padded in.

“The thunder [he meant lightening] looks like it is right outside of my window.”

Another boom sounded. Exchanging looks that conveyed the understanding of ten years of marriage, my husband and I broke into “These Are a Few of My Favorite Things”.  The boys smiled. Suddenly, I could hear a creaking upstairs. Ah-ha! Just as “the boys” in The Sound of Music hung back until they were the last ones in, our oldest son was hovering at the top of the staircase listening, afraid to admit his need.

“Do you want to come down?” I called. Footsteps pounded down stairs, and a moment later we were all happily cuddling on the bed. We began the song again, letting the boys add their own favorite things. While we were singing, middle child wriggled his way between the covers, still between his father and me. By the end of the song, youngest boy was likewise comfy and cosy…with his head on my pillow.

Hubby and I looked at one another.This little cheering-up-song-fest was beginning to take on the look of a slumber party. We tried a time or two to point out how the thunder sounded further away now. This was met with innocent smiles and extra-cute cuddles. As I surveyed the scene it occured to me that, although our king-sized bed was quite roomy and large, it would never hold us all through the night. I thought my best chance for sleep would be stretched across the foot of the bed until my husband pointed out he would probably kick me off during the night.

With a sigh, we dragged a twin-sized air mattress out for oldest son and got him settled on the floor. The other two were already happily in the bed. My husband was practically asleep, after accidentally setting his alarm for 5 am instead of 6am that morning. I kissed them all.

It was a long night. Snores, restless sleepers, rain pounding. I had plenty of time to reflect on the fact that Maria was really very lucky. She did not have to make the children leave her room; She could blame that on the Captain. She came out of the whole thing looking good, and got a great night’s sleep.

Lucky Maria!