I keep the cover of this greeting card because the little girl reminds me of photographs I've seen of Mom as a child.

***

I was always one of those people, like Dad, who could not sleep if there was a radio or TV on near me. If I could understand the words being spoken, I’d get interested in the story. If music was left on in the living room when I fell asleep, it would either keep me awake or, were I lucky enough to nod off, wake me in the middle of the night until I’d have to get up and turn it off.

Since Mom died (it doesn’t feel right, that word; I have to force myself to type it), the radio next to my head acts like a sedative, sometimes putting me to sleep even when I am trying to follow an arts interview. This is what used to happen to Mom; TV and radio would knock her right out if she laid down.

Some kind of "transference" (thanks for the word, Cath) or what? Strange, but welcome.

After 1 a.m. the CBC has radio programs from all over the world, and these are often quite interesting, but I simply cannot stay awake to listen to them.