This post is part of SoCS. These were the instructions-

Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “beside you.” Write about whatever is beside you when you read this prompt. Not when you sit down to write, but whatever is beside you right now. Take note of it if you think you might forget. Enjoy!

https://wordpress.com/read/blogs/38812713/posts/14047

Glancing over at my nightstand, I noticed two things-a book and my lamp.  I love this lamp.  The body of the lamp is made of clear glass and the shade is white.  It gives off a lovely, soft glowing light.  There is a matching one on my husband’s nightstand.

I love to turn these lamps on in the late afternoon/early evening, before it gets dark.  They provide a guide around the corner when I later turn off the rest of the house lights.  Without them, I would have to feel my way through the darkness to get to the bedroom.

Isn’t that how it is with light?  We need it for so many reasons.  To guide us physically, to help us read, work, cook…live.  But we also need the dark to rest, and the soft light of my lamp provides the perfect guide to the dark.

The other thing on my nightstand is a book.  “The World According to Mister Rogers.” This small book is filled with quotes from the beloved Fred Rogers.  Little bits of wisdom that shed light on many of life’s circumstances.  His words are clear and honest.  Each time I pick up this book, the words make me smile.  They also make me think about how I respond to what is happening around me.

A lamp and a book-what perfect things to have beside me during these uncertain times.  It is easy to feel overwhelmed, like darkness is closing in.  But the truth is, light is present in many forms.  Sometimes a soft glowing lamp, sometimes the words from a book.  We just have to open our eyes and look.