Mom Hijack: Bedside Table

I was contemplating the overflowing stack of books on my bedside table the other day and looked over at my husband's table- quite a difference. I started to wonder what the bedside tables of my friends might look like- and how truly, we can tell a lot about a person by what might be there, or not there. If I think back to the bedside tables of my former lives, they would each tell a story about priorities, interests, worries, fears, pleasures.

I use this space as a holding place for my interests and curiosities, some of which barely get my attention, but they sit just the same. If intention could manifest anything tangible it would be a great comfort, but alas, my good intentions simply keep the pile of books and journals growing. Sometimes I forget what is at the bottom of the pile, and for how long it's been sitting there, unread. Of course, things do come and go, as the library is a place I frequent. I contemplated this growing stack for long enough, that I figured it deserved some attention- in the form of this blog post- perhaps more for me, then anyone reading it, but maybe putting it out there will encourage me to start shrinking the pile or at least weeding it out. So here's what it looks like:

I know, right?! It's a bit overwhelming, and there's not space for much else, but let's break it down...

- Video monitor for Kai
- White noise machine (I'm a super light sleeper and this is life saving!)
- Ear plugs (yes, I use those too!)
- Stack of journals (I'm not a "journaler"- but the idea sort of intrigues me. I started a gratitude journal, but it's not a habit yet)
- Random junk (troll figurines, a heart-shaped paper punch?)
- And BOOKS- a stack of them! Here are some of the titles:

The Top Tier

Hellz Yeah It's Possible (about hiking the Appalachian Trail)

I used to love backpacking- and have re-energized an interest in possibly doing part of this iconic trail. Maybe someday...

Little Fires Everywhere

Novel chosen for this month's book club.

 

The Brain's Way of Healing (non-fiction)

I read Norman Doidge's first book while I was getting my certification as an Anat Baniel Method practitioner- it gave a ray of hope about the brain and neuroplasticity. I bought this one on a whim while on a once in a lifetime trip to London.

 

Caring for Children who Have Severe Neurological Impairment (resource book lent to me by a friend)

I think the title speaks for itself;-).

Fire Child Water Child (about the 5 types of ADHD recommended to me by a friend)

Kai's younger brother is newly diagnosed with ADHD, and I'm just starting to delve into the topic and understand how to best support him.

 

Cerebral Palsy: A complete guide to caregiving (checked out from the library by a friend)

I have always steered away from these types of resource books, but after two different people shared them with me I took it as a sign.

 

Can you guess which book gets the most attention?

 I wish I could say it was the books that will help me to support my children and be the best caregiver I can to them, but they are not. The novel will be off the table in a couple of weeks, replaced my a new one, that will be read equally as fast. The others linger and I may read a chapter or a few pages periodically- but they sit and wait mostly. I have good intentions, and true interest in these books, but I'll be honest they are not page turners. 

They are a reminder of the obstacles we face as a family and the resources we need to move forward. The novel, forever enticing, beckons to be read because it is so far removed from my life. I get to read about the drama surrounding fictitious lives, and it's Just. So. Easy.

Second Tier

These poor books have been stuck at the bottom of the pile: Kings and Queens of England, The 5 Second Rule (given to me by my mother-in-law) and The Marriage of Opposites (a novel given to me by a friend). They all interest me and one of these days I will get to them!

And of course, the foundation of the pile, are these sweet pictures of my family- old and new. 

I'm not sure I want to make any changes to this ever growing pile. After looking through everything, I simply stacked the books, re-placed the trolls, and even the heart-shaped paper punch.  One of these days I will either read everything, or will decide that my interest in the topic is no longer there. I like that I have a holding place for my intentions- even if they may not always be fulfilled.

What's on your bedside table?