navigating our way through the darkness. A mini essay by me, Morgan Harper-Nacles. There is a

profound difference between these two internet searches. Search number one, nightlights for adults,

search number two, nightlights for kids. The search results for number two are significantly more interesting. For adults,

you're going to find softer hues with a little dash of color here and there, but nothing too

wild. But if you look up kids nightlights, you're looking up galaxies now, like full-blown, starry night skies that cover the whole room. You're looking up galaxies now, like full-blown starry night skies that cover the whole room.

You're looking at stars that are wearing nightcaps and smiley faces, rabbits, pineapples, neon unicorns.

It's a lot more interesting.

It's almost like there's a lot more room for imagination to help kids

navigate their way through the night. And this makes sense, of course. I mean, after all,

they have only been here for a few years. The night can be a scary place where monsters lurk in the shadowy corners of the room and camp out beneath the bed.

As we get older, we learn that those monsters aren't real.

We learn not to fear the dark as much.

Or do we?

Do we actually learn how to find rest in the darkness?

Somewhere along the way, picture books and cartoons become something for kids.

Fantasy stories and colorful pajamas are childhood phases that we grow out of.

We grow up and we grow up to the point that

we don't need those things anymore. I am not saying that every grown-up needs colorful nightlights

in their bedroom. Maybe you're like me and just a sliver of light beneath the bathroom door

is just enough light for you. Or maybe you don't need

a night light at all. But whatever you do or do not need to go to sleep, I just hope you know

it's okay if someday you need just a little more light support to navigate through the darkness.

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