I remember many things about that night. But the thing that will stick in my head forever is the red pajamas I wore. My red pajamas were soft and warm. Made of fleece, covering me from neck to toes, they put me to sleep every night.
On this particular night, 11 years ago, I was in Wisconsin. We were spending a few days at Treasure Island Resort in the Dells. I remember, it was November, so we must have been there for my birthday. Late one night, my daddy came to the edge of the bed I shared with my sister. He touched my arm and woke me up gently. Cooing in my ear, he lifted me up, cradling me in his arms, and he began to walk.
I remember him carrying me down the hall outside of our room. There was a navy blue carpet on the ground, cream paint on the walls. Higher on the walls was wallpaper. Navy blue with little white anchors, I can still remember it. I also remember the conference rooms we passed. They were filled with stacks of blue chairs and a cleaning lady, wearing a brown uniform, was vacuuming the carpet in there. From the rooms came the smell of cleaning fluid. It tickled my nose and I sneezed.
Finally, we excited the hotel and I felt the nip of November air on my nose, but I was warm in my red pajamas and my daddy’s arms. I smiled and looked up at the sky, watching the earth cast its shadow on the moon.
