Nightmares...

Somewhere between being awake and drifting off to sleep my mind often races. I lie in bed and I think about the things of the day, happy things, things I could have done better, things that need to be done. After a short time, I usually drift quietly into sleep. But on some nights nightmarish thoughts enter my mind. A wave of panic hits me and my heart starts to race. I cringe as I think about having one of my children being kidnapped, or being hit by a car, or being exploited in some way. I try to think rationally, wondering if I am careful enough or cautious enough. Thinking how I can protect them any more than I am. The anxiety is usually lessened as I say an extra prayer pleading to always keep my children safe. Why do I do this? Is this a simple way of always remembering how precious and fragile the sweet lives of my children are or is this unnecessary obsessing on my part?