Going To Sleep

Going to bed when my sisters and I were between the ages of 4-10 was like pulling teeth. My mom would casually drop hints that it was "about that time" or "it's getting late" etc. and my sisters and I would sit around like we didn't hear her. Finally, she would say "up the golden stairs!" which meant this was the point of no return. No matter how much we pleaded, begged and protested we were going to bed. I am not really sure where this saying came from (Mom, can you enlighten us?) but for some reason it was always the ultimatum of bedtime in our house.

Of course my sisters and I would always drag our feet getting ready for bed. First, we would quietly sing 3 times in our head "Jesus Loves Me" as we brushed our teeth to make sure we brushed long enough. Second, we would take time picking out P.J.s which usually ended up being a big t-shirt. Then, it was "Mom, read us a book!" and the picking out the book/reading process. Next, was the desperate attempt to stay up longer saying "I'm thirsty/hungry." Finally it was "Mom, sing to us."

There were several staple songs that my mom would sing when she sang us to sleep. One of those, was obviously "My Favorite Things" as previously mentioned. Some of the others were; Tis a Gift to be Simple, Amazing Grace, You are a Masterpiece, Great is Thy Faihtfulness, and my personal favorite, "Stubborn Love" - originally recorded by The Great Amy Grant and Michael W. Smith...classic.

On special nights my mom would sing and scratch our backs or play with our hair at the same time. This is heaven. If you have never had it done I recommend calling your mom right now and demanding a back scratching. I have distinct memories of being really glad I got stuck with the bottom bunk on these nights.

My mom would sing until we fell asleep or so she thought... Over half the time we were faking it. Every kid does this, and for some reason, every kid knows the special tricks to making it believable. Breathe heavily and lightly flutter your eyes like you are in REM. It's a great trick works every time. I digress... When I would fake sleep I remember my mom singing through her repertoire of songs, and then she would get up to leave and quietly whisper "I love you." Leaving the room in a peaceful state with one final flutter of light from the hallway as she closed the door.

Little did she know my sisters and I would be up in about 5 mins. playing My Little Ponies and talking to the wee hours of the night. (What do 7 year olds talk about that late anyway?!)

Eventually my parents would hear us and the night would end in spanking threats and a wooden spoon on the dresser for sleeping-scare-tactics. They rarely followed through with a spanking, because even though my mom read, gave us water, scratched our backs and sang, for some reason the thought of a spanking was one of the most effective ways of putting us to sleep.

However, I am glad my parents didn't just start with the spanking as the method for putting us to bed because I do cherish the moments when mom sang to us. I can't wait to have little ones of my own when I can share special times like that with them.

Legacy of the Lullaby

I love being a mom. I love watching my girls grow into beautiful and godly women. I love our traditions: the “School Days” song and eggs-in-a-frame on the first day of school, “Christmas Gift” greetings on December 25, loud music on Sunday mornings to wake us all up…but one soothing ritual I have always cherished—and now miss dearly—is singing songs to my babies as they drift off to sleep.

Recently I sang to Becca and Emily as they nodded off before Becca flew halfway around the world to Taybeh. It was a parting gift of sorts as well as a desperate attempt to hold her fast. It brought back so many memories….

One of the most powerful moments I have experienced as a mother was on one of our vacations to Myrtle Beach. It was several years ago, but apparently long enough ago that I wanted you all to go to bed at the same time. I was still regularly singing Emily to sleep so it was probably about ten or twelve years ago. We were staying at the Long Bay Resort and you girls were all sleeping in one room in two double beds. I’m sure we used the excuse that “Santa” needed to come and everyone needed to go to sleep—but however we managed it—you were all in your pjs and snuggled in bed. I sat on the edge and rubbed baby Emily’s back while I sang Christmas carols to you all for a very long time. I’m sure you were not aware of it, but I had tears dripping off my chin as I sang. I love you all so much and to be in the same room with you all as you floated smoothly into slumber, quietly breathing in the warmth of the night made my heart so full.

I’m sure that “Raindrops on Roses” made an appearance along with “Silent Night” (a song that at one time scared Cynthia), “O Little Town of Bethlehem,” “The Christmas Song” and a myriad of other carols. It was one of my favorites—an image-laden song. When I sang “Girls in white dresses with blue satin sashes” I could just see Cynthia and Katherine in the little white lace dresses MamMam and Grandpapa had bought for you—with blue and pink interchangeable satin belts.

My favorite line to sing was “Cream-colored ponies and crisp apple strudel.” The lyrical timbre of the words alone is worth repeating, but add the pretty pastoral picture and a delicious dessert and what’s not to like?

I suppose I will still have a few rare opportunities to sing one or the other of you to sleep. I will bide my time, take advantage of every occasion and then hide the treasure in my heart.