“Sorry, I guess I’m just overthinking things again.”
“Well, I think I might be able to help with that.” She pulled me close and stroked my hair. “What if you were to imagine your mind as a pool, and all the thoughts as water?”

“It’s some turbulent water today,” I confessed.

“That’s alright. I’m going to pull the plug.”

“Meep!” I squeaked. I was so conditioned to her voice, just those words had already had an effect on my mind. I could see the water representing my thoughts starting to swirl.

“So we’ll just let all those thoughts drain away, shall we? I’ll count down from ten, and you can watch them go.”

“Mmm, yes please.”

She stroked my hair again. “Nine, you can see them swirling down.”

I nodded, shifting my body closer.

“Eight, draining away.”

I gave a contented sigh as she lowered my head into her lap.

“Seven.”

I watched the swirl going down, down, water draining out.

“Six, just letting them go.”

I smiled softly.

“Five, halfway gone.”

So nice and warm in her lap.

“Four.”

I felt contentment stealing over me.

“Three, down and down.”

“Mm.”

“Two, just let go now.”

Head almost empty.

“One. Drop, nice and deep for me. That’s right.”

And in my mind, there was only peace, and her beloved voice.