Monday, October 16, 2006

Where I Lay My Head

*written October 11 in GenSan

I just woke up from the third bed I’ve slept in since I came to Gen San 7 days ago…another new bed, well-slept. If I were asked to count how many beds I’ve slept in since I left home to work, I would never be able to tell!

My six-month stay in Thailand a couple of years ago is pretty much a description of my life: wandering from one place to another by plane, train, tuktuk and car and sleeping in a grand total of 36 beds.

I’ve slept on a rock-hard mattress on the floor, on a lopsided bed ready to collapse anytime, on an upper bunk of a very shaky bunk bed (look ma, no railings!), on a rickety bed of a chugging train, in a sleeping bag on a breezy bamboo floor, on a lovely, firm queen-sized bed. I’ve slept on a bed with a bat hanging upside down above it. I’ve slept on a bed possessively claimed by the owner’s cat. I’ve slept on a bed with a lizard crawling up my leg in the middle of the night.

Having slept on so many beds, you’d think I can sleep well anywhere. How I wish that were true! The thing is, along with the different beds, comes different situations, different conditions and so, different sleep.

In all this time, I can only remember one particular bed on which I not only had wonderful, deep restful sleep, but also the most fantastic Technicolor dreams that leave me with a wonderful feeling when I woke up! I told my host this and she said that she prays over her guest room—that the Lord will grant anyone who uses that room good, restful sleep. Isn’t that a wonderful thing! But then, that was just for three days...and then I had to move on to another city, and another bed.

It must be nice to sleep on just one comfortable, sturdy, queen-sized bed for the rest of your life—a bed I can often come home to---my own. A bed I can dream dreams in, a bed I can lie down on happily falling asleep as I see my dreams fulfilled. A bed that I can fall asleep crying on, like a close friend’s shoulder and wake up comforted. There’s no one bed who has seen me through all my good and bad days—no bed I have shared lots of memories with.

Interestingly, one Man had it worse! He said, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.”( Matthew 8:20)

Not an easy thing, to follow such a Master. But I am looking forward to one day having my own bed, enjoying good rest and the Master’s presence forever.

8 comments:

Alternati said...

Unless completely utterly exhausted... I can never sleep all that well on another bed. Namamahay is the best term I can think of. I totally get the whole "nesting" idea. I usually just toss and turn trying to think of sleeping... but failing to do so.

Anonymous said...

Didn't know you went to GenSan. What did you do there? Better get some more sleep!

Anonymous said...

It's nice to come home and sleep in the same bed everyday, but you're lucky to have travelled to many different places. :)

Gypsy said...

Hi Alternati, I get what you mean...am a bit of an insomniac myself, so I guess even when I do have a permanent bed, it probably wont assure me of a good night's sleep...

Hi Shirley, I went to GenSan for a workshop and a couple of days stay with my Aunt whom I havent seen in about 8 years! NO sleep for the wicked as they say, am still doing the same workshop now, but to another group..tired but fulfilled, but am looking forward to catch some shut-eye next week. Yey!

Abaniko said...

You were able to count exactly 36 beds when you were in Thailand? Amazing! :)

Gypsy said...

Yep, after the 10th bed, I thought this is a feat worth immortalizing. Ha! Ha!

Gypsy said...

Hi Niceheart, sorry just saw your comment...yes, the fringe benefit of it all are the interesting people and places I get to meet and visit. :)

Anonymous said...

Hey Gypsy! I know what you mean.. not getting that great wonderful peaceful sleep... and i assure you, even if it is your own bed, there is no assurance that you will get that wonderful feeling of rest... i wonder if this is the restless spirit in us that confirms that we are not really home yet? - jen :- )