The pendulum swings back and forth as time ticks away. Every fifteen minutes its Westminster quarter chimes remind me that sleep is eluding me. Anxiety plagues me while I wait for a chime of a different sort, the first few whistling bars of Kesha’s “Crazy Kids,” which will put my heart at ease.

When the phone finally sounds, it startles me. But I can finally breathe easy when I read the words, “Made it home safely. Love you, mama!”

My daughter knows her mother’s heart and mind won’t rest until I know she’s safe and sound.