I'm sure it has something to do with seeing the light at the end of the long day tunnel and knowing that very soon, Charlie and I will have some quiet time to ourselves.
But more than that, there is something so awesome about those few minutes when I sit on the edge of the children's beds and say an evening prayer with them. I give them a sip of water, sing a song or two, talk about the days events, what exciting things we have in store for tomorrow, and listen to them sleepily jabber about life.
They are freshly bathed.
Their little teeth are brushed.
They are squeaky clean and everyone is verging on drowsy, yet they are full of anticipation for what the next day will bring.
If I've had a particularly challenging day with the children, bedtime is my opportunity to make amends and remind them how much they mean to me and how much I love them. It's their opportunity to cuddle close, stare in to my eyes, and twirl my hair around their finger, while reminding me that they will be five soon and they want a pirate cake, a princess cake and a witch cake and a jump house and and and a piñata and a lot of presents. WITH BIG BOWS.
Bedtime is my best opportunity to sear in to memory the sweetness of this age. It is also my best opportunity to remember that nothing my children could ever do or say would alter the pure adoration I have for them.
My heart absolutely runneth over with love.
For today, for tomorrow, forever and always.
At bedtime, there is no more whining...
There is no more crying...
There is no more tattling...
There is no more moodiness...
Everything, and I mean everything, is good in our world.I am convinced that bedtime is nothing short of magic.
Because when I step out of the children's bedroom and in to my bedroom and discover that someone has burrowed in to my makeup supply and spilled the contents all over our white bedspread; and someone snapped the wristband off of my $85.00 triathlon watch; and my point-and-shoot camera is sitting inside the silverware basket in the dishwasher, I'm hardly annoyed. If any of those things had happened at 2 PM as opposed to 8 PM, I'm certain I'd need restraints. But at bedtime, my spirit is peaceful and my heart is light.
And on the kitchen counter, there's a full glass of wine.
Just waiting.
For me.
Wow. You are awesome. I throw my kids in at bedtime and RUN, RUN, RUN to the door. Talk about the Airing of the Grievances. If I stuck around, it would go on for HOURS.
ReplyDeleteSo far since we got here, the children have hung on a towel rack in the bathroom and pulled it off the wall, broke the thermometer off the back railing on the balcony, dropped markers all over the white carpeting, which I discovered are not washable.
Daddy may put them to sleep forever if I don't get them out of here today.
That was such a beautiful post..thank you for that. :)
ReplyDelete"at bedtime, my spirit is peaceful and my heart is light"
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful way to put it. I couldn't agree more!
That is a wonderful habit and I hope you keep it up until they are ---30. Don't you love the smell of clean hair on children--or anyone else. Enjoy every minute, because it is over tooooo fast. I hope I can get them into bed in Greenville, because I have a few things I would like you and Guy to enjoy like the theater while you are here.Looking forward to your visit.
ReplyDeleteLove,
MOM
My kids are only one (twins) but that is truly the emotion I feel when I put them down to sleep too. I eagerly await the days when they will engage in the ways you describe. That is incredibly sweet.
ReplyDeleteThis is my first time commenting on your blog, but I have to say that it is just amazing. I am so impressed and it always brings a smile to my face. Although I will also admit that it actually makes me feel a bit bad that I don't do such a thing for my kids :-) For posterity.
What a treasure you do/ will always have with these words and thoughts!
And in case you answer blog questions, can I ask how you get so many unique exprssions that seem to match your sentimnts exactly? Do you just take mountains of pics? Do you use your pics to inspire your words, or vice versa? Just curious.
My bedtime routine is more like what Michele described . . . . and I've always felt bad I don't do more like what you do. You inspire me so many different ways. What a lovely post : )
ReplyDelete