Two nights ago, my youngest asked me to tuck her in. We usually just send them up in a mad rush after prayer, hugs, and kisses. This post might make me reconsider that. So, she is five and just started kindergarten. She is still the cutest little thing. I told her to get her jammies on and I would come up. When I went upstairs, she asked me to sing her Silent Night. "Silent Night? That's a Christmas song!" Well, she still wanted me to sing it. Isn't that the beauty of children? They allow us to pause and consider what we need to be reminded of. So, I sang the first verse of Silent Night as her little lids drooped heavily. I thought, why not finish her off? I kept singing through all three verses as I stroked her hair and cheek. And she drifted off sweetly long before the end of the song. It HAD been a very long day at the fair.
As I looked at her though, so sweet and peaceful and beautiful, I just did not want the moment to end. And so I lingered there with her. I laid down next to her with my hand on her chest and just looked at her sweet little face. She still has the beautiful blush of childhood that will be gone so quickly and it was almost more than I could bear to think about it. Especially since I have been a mom for over 19 years and I know how fast they grow and leave. In a few short weeks, we will send one off almost for good.
It left me very thoughtful; those few small moments in her room. How do I use my time? How can I make better use of it? What is really important? Good things to think about.
