Thursday night was miserable.

No matter what side I tried laying on or how much I fluffed up my pillow, I could not fall asleep.

For those who suffer from insomnia, my heart goes out to you.

I typically have no trouble getting my nightly shuteye.

In fact, there have been occasions where I have even fallen asleep with the lamp on while still propped up on my bed rest.

The only downside to this dilemma is that the next night I have to try and remember which page I left off on in the book I was reading.

Thursday night, however, was different.

Every little ache and pain was exaggerated, the slightest noise was irritating and my mind would not let go of the thousand million thoughts swirling around in my head.

As I flipped from side to side, I thought maybe I could calm my anxiousness down by focusing on a safe place or forcing myself to think happy thoughts, but nothing came, which made be feel even more frustrated.

I was disappointed. I could not eek out even one sweet feeling to put me to sleep.

Nope, the rumblings just kept coming.

The last time I looked at the clock, it was 1:30 a.m.

Eventually, sleep arrived, but getting up Friday morning was no picnic.

In my younger days, getting only a few hours of sleep was no problem, but now, as a “mature adult,” my body requires at least seven hours of zzz’s.

A third cup of coffee helped a little, but as I headed upstairs, I realized I was still slightly in a fog.

If only I could have arrived at that elusive sweet sense of peace Thursday night, then maybe I would have not tossed and turned for so long.

And then I would not have been sleep deprived!

While I was getting dressed, I decided to listen to music like I often do when getting ready and decided to play an album entitled “The Finest Moments,” which is by the Christian artist, Sandi Patti.

I bought the CD many years ago, and it has served as a spiritual lifeline when times were tough.

Amazingly, after only the first few bars of Patti’s song, “How Majestic Is Your Name,” there it was, the feeling, the one I had been searching for just hours before, peace. For me, music has always been an important part of my life, serving as an inspirational tool, whether I was listening to it, dancing to it or even making it myself.

I wish I had thought to turn on a few tunes during my Thursday night’s struggle for shuteye.

I do not know if it would have worked but it will surely be worth a try.

Sweet dreams.

Terri Cowart Frazier is a staff writer at The Vicksburg Post. You may reach her at terri.frazier@vicksburgpost.com.