Not going to lie, it's been on for the last few days, but during the day you don't see the colorful dinosaurs it casts on the ceiling and walls.
I cleaned up your room on Friday, in anticipation of your arrival. I left the lamp on then, too. But your siblings convinced you to stay home with them and have fun with them. I know you did have fun. But I missed you. And I can't help but wonder if you got the proper care that a 5 year old should get.
Mom told me what she witnessed the other day. The story is a sad one, not quite bad enough to get involved, but bad enough that it hurts us to think about. And I wish for you and your siblings that life could be easier. I wish the adults who take care of you when you aren't here would be capable of the situation. I wish that you would have a childhood full of everything you need. I wish I could do more for you instead of helplessly watch as your own dad neglects to care for all of you properly.
About the time the lamp made its appearance in your room, something changed. I didn't hear so much about bad guys coming into the house at night and dreams about zombies. There's only been one morning when I woke up to find you sleeping beside me.
So I left the lamp on for you tonight. I know it won't help you get to bed on time, or make sure you have proper meals tomorrow to help you on your second day of school, or help those adults learn to properly care for you and your siblings. But the lamp reminds me of you. And it can remind me to pray that the adults who are caring for you got you to bed on time tonight, and will have proper food for you so you can have a good day at school tomorrow.
I left the lamp on for you.