tuesday, april 14: gift a friend
tuesday, april 21: gift a neighbor, teacher, co-worker
tuesday, april 28: gift a total stranger
[tonight I found B&T having a sleepover & megan fast asleep]
Even though we hug & kiss and say goodnight after family prayers, almost every night they ask me to come see them in bed and we say goodnight again. I admit, most nights I'm exhausted and just want to hop in bed myself, but I go because it's one on one time I don't always get during the day, especially since they're in school.
We talk or read stories or I just give them another hug & kiss. Megan usually has instructions for me like, "please turn off the lights and shut my door, oh and get me a drink, oh and find my kitty." Tess and Bella, more than not, tell me about something that happened that day or something coming up their excited about.
I've learned over time to savor these moments. I use to do it for them because they ask me, a gift of time if you would, but really I think it's more of a gift they give to me. They share more of who they are with me during that brief time and am grateful they ask me to come.
I hope they never stop asking.
8 comments:
So sweet. I started getting exhausted again while I was reading about your bedtime rituals. LOL. It is good to remember that we will miss them needing us so much, huh? I love this picture too.
very touching! so sweet, and what a memory-maker!!
What a gift from you and from them!
I would have a hard time going back in, I am so very done by bedtime. Maybe as my kids get older and it is conversation they crave instead of ploys to stay up later, well I might be more willing!
not so long ago, i was bemoaning the fact that jack is night person, and his constant needs after "bedtime" were driving me insane...
now, we seem to have turned a corner, and he is taking himself off to bed at the right time, and not reappearing. it happened so gradually, that only recently have i come to acknowledge that i actually miss that time.
well, a little bit..
i agree with hannah - that time together spent in quiet conversation is much more of a gift than refilling water glasses. you and your girls are so adorable...
I sometimes find the bedtime stuff exhausting, but I too keep reminding myself that the time will come when they don't need me. Already the boys don't have me read to them anymore, and Eva won't always want to rock. I'm sure I will miss Lucas coming to tell me good night 5 times!
what a great gift...from them to you.
You're so good. Usually at that time of night I am so tired. I try to be patient then I start to lose it. I need ME time. I have to remind myself that the days are numbered- they won't always want me to stay with them.
what a great gift....for all involved! treasure these times....
Post a Comment