"But Squirrels Can Jump In My Bed!"

So I've been feeling pretty sorry for myself a lot lately.

I've had a to come to quite a few realizations that have severely damaged my self worth: I've discovered I'm not the cool hip person I think I am. I know now that I'm no where near the essential cog in the wheel of work that I always thought I was. My knowledge of what I do for a living is about 1/3rd that of a young 20yr old coming out of college, and even at home Danelle fares way better at handling the day to day tasks of getting M & L to calm down from a tantrum, or to eat there supper, than I ever could.

Basically I've been feeling a little useless. Wondering exactly what it is I do that makes an impression on the world.

That all changed last night.

About 2am last night I awoke to the sound of panic'd screaming coming from Maggies' bedroom. As soon as my mind came back into focus from the realm of sleep I jumped out of bed and ran to her room - thinking she had gotten sick or perhaps hurt herself.

What I found was a terrified little girl standing up in the corner of her room screaming "There are squirrels in my bed!"

Now before I go any further I should note that over the weekend we had her cousin Austin stay with us and he slept both nights he was here in Maggies room on the air mattress. Maggie decided the last two nights that she wanted to sleep on the mattress - We didnt think it was a big deal - it got her to bed with out complaints - and thats always a bonus.

So anyway, here was maggie - pinned in the corner by this mattress scared out of her mind because of some dream she had about squirrels. As soon as I entered the room she latched on to me. I told her it was all right and that nothing was going to hurt her. I then suggested she lay donwn in her bed - that is off the ground - so that she would be away from the squirrels. To this she replied, in the most panicked voice "But the Squirrels can jump in my bed!" My only solution was to lie down in the bed with her and promise to keep her safe. "yeah - only if you stay with me" she said.

Even then she needed to be covered up by her sheet - no skin exposed so the squirrels couldn't get her. After about 20 minutes I tried to get out of the bed (sleeping on the edge of a single bed is not the most comfortable) and she grabbed me again and whimpered. I told her I would turn on her night light (currently off) and chase all the squirrels out. This seemed to go over with her and I was able to go back to bed.

Later in the morning Danelle informed me that Maggie had told her that she had squirrels in her room but 'Daddy chased them out'.

Surprisingly that did a world of good for my sense of self. I may not be the best web coder or funniest guy in the office - or most dependable husband (when it comes to laundry and day to day chores) - but to one little girl whose opinion I value more than I could have ever imagined, I'm the squirrel chaser. And somehow, that's ok with me.