Sleepytime

Sleepytime tea, for those that aren't familiar, is the most soothing tea before bed.

Months after my father passed away, just the smell of sleepytime brought me to restlessness. It was a pre-bed tradition with my Dad; two bags in the tall Pier 1 flower mug with the black handle. Microwave for 3 minutes, and carry quickly to his bedside because the handle was too hot to walk casually.

He would peel his glasses off and crease the page of his book when tea arrived. He would sit himself up with pillows for, and sip in a "its-too-hot-to-actually-drink" sip.

He'd share one of my childhood stories, mutter about work projects, or talk about the summer ahead and his big plans for fixing up the boat or the house. The topic didn't particularly matter; it was just always the comfort of tea, talk, and Dad playing with my hair while I lay beside him listening.

I don't remember when I started making two mugs of Sleepytime, but I remember when I stopped.

Tonight, my roommate moved in. He was practically done by the time I got out of the shower, and running errands the rest of the night. I told him I was going to bed, and asked him if he needed anything to be comfortable. He looked hopeful and asked, " Sleepytime tea?"

So tonight, I made two mugs. . . this time mine was in the tall Pier 1 mug with the black handle. Two bags. Extra hot.