I really should be sleeping....

It is 1 o'clock in the morning. Not late for some, but for me, so past my bedtime. I find myself completely restless and unable to wind down.
Today has been non stop. It was our once a month Mom's Night Out. A night that is so deserved for most of us. We all look forward to it. Since Charlie is out of town for the weekend, I offered to have a night of food and games at the house. Of course, that also included some serious cleaning, cooking and planning. All on top of my normal duties as the mother of 3 small children. Thankfully, the kiddos were on my side today and made it really easy to get all the preparations done to pull off a very successful dinner party. The hard part was waking up with them at 5 am this morning. So I really should be dead on my feet, but I am so wired.
I just had a house full of women. There were 9 here tonight. Enjoying food, laughter and stories. The walls of the house echoed laughter for over 4 hours. Out of this group, there is a nursing student, a part time teacher, a home health nurse, a graphic artist, two more than full time workers, and two stay at home moms. Such a diverse group of women. And the conversations were just as diverse. People watching has become a new hobby of mine. To sit and watch and listen as they opened their hearts and souls. To reveal parts of their pasts, and present for that matter. They were truly comfortable in my home. It was so touching to be a part of that. Even though our daytime jobs are so different, we all have a common bond: Our children. It is night's like these that I remember why I enjoy their company so much.
I have never really been the type to get along with a large group of women. There always seems to be drama and conflict. This group is not without this, but it is usually pushed to the side and doesn't consume us. We all get a little annoyed with personalities, things that are said, or stuff that happens. But, this group of women usually moves past it, accepts what they see and loves you despite your faults.
And now that everyone has gone home, the house is so still and so quiet, it is almost eerie....and so lonely.